I believe the obligation is part of a federal law...
To get away from unions hop in a time machine to the guilded age

what has the board caved on?

According to that article it was the union that caved

Yeah! Lake forest kids aren't spoiled and know what it's like to not get what they want
Give me a break

Yes, those pensions will eventually be the final straw. The extend and pretend mentality that we are currently operating under is not helping matters. Just take a gander at property taxes in Lake Forest over the past decade. On top of that, take a look at how much some of these same properties have fallen from peak value. Meanwhile, the homeowner/taxpayer sees little relief since the burden of funding an entity that seeks (and receives) annual increases in salary and COLA adjustments cannot operate in the fiscal reality of the free market. Instead of seeing a deserved reduction in property taxes (as you will find in other states with similarly impaired real estate markets), residents of Lake County are expected to make up the shortfall with an adjusted multiplier.

None of this seems to be a concern to the teachers who in all of their self-aggrandizement continue to plead their case to a largely deaf ear.

Thank you, this was refreshing to read.

Thank you so much for your comment! I'm sure that your wife is a wonderful teacher, and her students and their parents must appreciate her very much. I taught many years ago, and to me it was a profession--not a "job". ( I opted out of the pension, and worked for several years for a friend, so I received Social Security as my future pension.) I still get birthday cards and letters from former students and parents, and it warms my heart. While teaching, I made it a practice to tutor my students at lunchtime. We called it "Lunch Bunch". The union made me stop: They said that this practice would make the parents expect other teachers to do free tutoring, and that was against union rules. This is an example of why unions do not belong in schools...

Why do you keep complaining about things that have nothing to do with the current strike? Pension and vacation are irrelevant.
Ask your senator to cancel summer break and teachers will be happy to work
Email your glove for and ask him to fix e pension system

@Jeff - taxpayers pay for the pensions. One way or another we pay. Do you think that pension money grows on trees?

So, of course, pensions have something to do with the current issue. Teachers receive a pension. The pension is based in part on their wages. When deciding between a job in the private sector vs a job as a teacher, a $3 mil pension surely impacts the decision. You'd be foolish to think otherwise.

I absolutley agree with you, my daughter must have had the same math teacher.

This math teacher came came in late to the math help area where she spoke to other teachers there about how dumb and stupid my daughter was. She then stepped around the corner to see my daughter ten feet away waiting for her help. As an insecure new freshman girl you can imagine what this did for her self esteem. When we met with the dean and this teacher she knew there were too many witnesses and never denied what she said but said she was speaking of another girl. Really? Do we look that dumb? And that was supposed to make us feel better? This ''teacher'', ''one of the best money can buy'' is making about 137,000. per year to, for lack of a better term, bully our kids with no fear of loosing her job thanks to the union. I'm sure she's out there picketing and it's surely not for the kids sake.

That is a great comment, I agree with everything you said. These teachers are not the best, and should not be paid like the best. What they are currently making is a blessing. A 3% raise thats more than fair

I'm glad that we can generalize the quality of the LFHS faculty based on the poor performance of one teacher. Honestly, I'm sorry that your child's teacher did that, but I think that situation is very atypical. For 4 years all of my teachers there were competent and helpful, at the very least. Many of them clearly had passion for and expertise in teaching and their subject matter. For example, my senior year math teacher's students have all earned 5s on the AP Calculus BC exam for the last 2 years. He majored in Math and CS at Stanford, and has a passion to bring his knowledge to the classroom. Replace that.

Administrators , regardless of the union or tenure, can get rid of an ineffective teacher in 18 months. It's takes documentation and some work but it can happen. DPMS has gotten rid of 2 ineffective tenure teachers in 2005. A poor administrator will blame it on the union but it's actually in their hands. Maybe for the money they make they should start doing their job?
I think before all of these people are commenting (and some are the same over and over again) you should do a little research.

Can you mention who this math teach is so we can be aware?

Thanks for the lively debate! Just a reminder, per the Patch Terms of Use - while it's perfectly okay to post anonymous stories about your less-than-stellar experiences with faculty members, please avoid naming names. I've attached the link to our Terms of Use if you'd like to review it! http://lakeforest.patch.com/terms

Sounds like Mrs. Gibson or Mrs. Snell

So true! It is probably not lost on you, John, that one thing that IS going on at the HS right now while the teachers stand pacing the curb are ACT/SAT test prep sessions. Meanwhile, the union likes to tout our high test scores as a measure of THEIR greatness. And guess what? As the past days have shown, we have a lot of teens who otherwise could choose to sleep past noon coming in at 7:30am for college visits and for these test sessions. As a mom and a member of the community, I couldn't be prouder of our kids.

So the genetics play a role? Did you get that argument from mein kampf?

Teachers are no different than doctors. Just like every hospital is different and so are their outcomes, the same runs true in our schools. So would you rather have a doctor with many years experience and great outcomes or one who is fresh out of med school. Let me tell you... the young ones don't have a clue what they are doing!!! Be thankful for the incredible education your children are getting.

@Jeff - just drop the act. There is a genetic component to many aspects. Some people are more predisposed athletically, others academically. To believe otherwise is foolish. Not everyone will live up to their potential, and it is never a guarantee, but there is a genetic aspect, no matter what the PC crowd likes to say.

John is exactly right. God gave some more talent than others. This is not about a master race. In fact, there is nothing racial or elitist about it. Academics are not about genetics. Academics are about the work ethic at home. Nearly every child has enough god-given talent to succeed, a few have more than others and they are lucky. The truly lucky ones are those who live in homes that embrace academic excellence and strive for it. By all means, teachers are important. However, the most important factor is at home.

+1 @Me, nice follow up

Are you freakin' kidding me? Sperm and an egg plus God make a better person? Really? Most of what you are talking about is old money - you appear successful on the outside (Mc Mansion and bling), but you are no different than I.

Its funny during normal school days you can roll a ball down the hall at 3:05pm and never hit a teacher. Union hours:7am-3pm firm

@mosober. The school day at LFHS ends at 3:10. You don't hit a teacher with your rolling ball because they're in class, teaching.

@Mosober: considering that 8th period ends at 3:10 and most teachers are in their classrooms with their students at 3:05 I don't see what you're trying to accomplish.

@mosober--I have seen teachers who are not coaches or club advisers walking to their cars at 7 pm with their bags full of papers and work. Work ethic is variable in every workplace and its higher at LFHS than many private workplaces and other schools. This is not about whether or teachers have earned this; its about balancing competing interests.

@Hmmmm6 Re:"I would be saving for retirement if I were you."

You are correct. For the last 10 years, I've been telling anyone who will listen that this is unsustainable. It was very interesting to see the reactions when I would start this topic at parties with other teachers. I was not very popular.

From the Daily Herald: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120413/news/704139963/

"Seven years ago, the cost of Illinois teachers' and employees' retirements was rising, squeezing how much lawmakers and then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich could spend on more popular programs.

Even though the state's pension systems already faced a $38.6 billion deficit, Democrats chose to skimp on mandatory yearly pension payments to free up some cash short-term."

What isn't mentioned (or I missed it) is that the unions agreed to the pension funding "holiday".

By the way, the new pension deficit is $83 billion.

You know what, I'm so sick of these union hating parents bashing every one of our respected teachers on this site. I went to this school and I know that it's not some miracle that all LFHS students do well on standardized testing, ITS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE BEST TEACHERS IN THE STATE. You people need to realize that when it comes down to it, you're not going to want your kid being taught by some freshly graduated teacher who hasn't perfected their craft yet. The sooner you union hating people realize this, the sooner this deal will be done and the strike will be over.

Ouch Stevie
So since there are two bad teachers we should punish and demonize the rest?

Stevie, you should check the terms of use of this site before you name names. However, while we are flagrantly violating said terms, I had both of those teachers. I didn't agree with them on every single aspect of their methodology, but they taught me the curriculum and prepared me for the next class in the math sequence. I came to appreciate both of them as people and as teachers by the end of my respective years with them, and they have been friendly every time I have seen them since. Also, I'm glad you can evaluate a person's political affiliation based on whether or not they appreciate their teachers. You should get that one published.

Will way to be a buzz kill about the terms of use. Grow up, who cares if I call out a teacher now and then. Call it as I see it. Your out

That is the key - parents need to be willing to sacrifice ALL of their children in the district to get rid of one teacher, for repercussions will follow and suddenly "great" students will be receiving poor grades. It should not have to get to that level.

Sigh
The problem with most people I here have no idea what this contract is about
taxes will not change if teachers get zero dollars or a million dollars

@Jeff - very uninformed comment. If we end up paying an extra few million dollars, where do you think the money is going to come from? Do you even pay property taxes?

@Jeff - please stop posting until you get a clue. "Taxes will not change if teachers get zero dollars or a million dollars". Really @Jeff?!!

My God. So if teacher all work for free our tax bills won't change one iota? If every tracher makes $1 million a year our taxes won't change? @Jeff. Please go away until you've learned some common sense.

ALl of the teachers could also quit. Where would you be then? Rehiring that level of talent costs huge $.

College Brah: IT'S NOT "THEIR" MONEY!!! It's the tax payers money! Now you should know that being that you attend a "premier institution"

LIfe is Good: have you taken a specific look at the financials to know whether the proposed salary increases will directly affect your taxes...? I've been in contact with a former teacher who is a member of the Union as a lead representative in talks who's assured me that the residents will receive no direct increase

Guys this "brah" is at a premier institution! Funny how he still isnt smart enough to see what side is in the wrong here. " PAY THEM THEIR MONEY" what a joke. Your just like obama, you see money and the people who have it therefore you must take it. So are you in the video too where they say that they went to " Duke, Harvard, U of I, ect" good for you get but get a grip

@College - You seem to be of the mind that "just because it is there, we should go ahead and spend it". And then when that is gone we will go back to the taxpayers and ask for more.

College Brah: Bravo for you that you have been in contact with a former teacher. They are telling you what they want you to believe. Where do you think the money is going to come from? The MONEY FAIRY???

Life is Good: I feel like you could've been a little more creative than money fairy. Weak effort, really weak. At least could've said something like "money doesn't grow on trees" then you really would've got the point across and I'd agree with you completely. Also, this isn't some conspiracy, the teacher wouldn't lie to me, he's a dear friend at this point.

@ college brah - you wrote "have you taken a specific look at the financials to know whether the proposed salary increases will directly affect your taxes". Most every penny paid to the teachers comes from our taxes. Most every penny increase in pay to a teacher means it comes from our taxes. Did the premier school you attended teach you that money grew on trees?

@tiredoftheposturing. I am not sure that you are correct that classes will be held. I have been told that there will be "programs" but that regular classes will not be held.
It may be mayhem on Monday, but we will see. I am sure the school and the administrators are doing the best that they can with the horrible hand they have been dealt but I think its wrong for the school to mandate attendance if classes are not going to be held. You are compelling them to come for a program that they didn't sign up for.
There needs to be an agreement. Our kids are entitled to the classes they signed up for. Don't compel classes if you are simply going to babysit them. It should be a day of non attendance. Our kids have shown they can keep themselves busy productively.

Also note that @Jeff likes to use Hitler/Nazi references when he cannot come up with a compelling counter-argument. See above.

Here's another nugget for you @Jeff, from that great book you brought up:

"In the present state of affairs I am convinced that we cannot possibly dispense with the trades unions. On the contrary, they are among the most important institutions in the economic life of the nation. Not only are they important in the sphere of social policy but also, and even more so, in the national political sphere. For when the great masses of a nation see their vital needs satisfied through a just trade unionist movement the stamina of the whole nation in its struggle for existence will be enormously reinforced thereby."
-- Adolf Hitler, Mein Kampf, Volume II, Chapter XII

Pretty favorable view of unions, eh @Jeff?

@Disappointed Student: ACT scores mean very little about the quality of the education you received. Your affection for Mr. Coad, however, says everything. If a school provides one teacher who inhabits your soul, its an amazing thing. You got a great score, but I know kids who did even better and never had tutoring.. They relied on their teachers to teach them. They weren't naturally brilliant; they needed school to learn; they wouldn't have done it on their own. LFHS kids are really all over the lot--some are high, some not so much, and maybe that is not altogether dissimilar from your experience of the teachers. Some were fantastic, some, not so much. I think that hoping that replacements are going to seamlessly replace our teachers is a pipe dream. I think your desire for a system that is tied to performance is a very fair point, and I continue to point out that a new evaluation system is being implemented that is likely the first step in that direction. We can't solve every problem in these negotiations. The one problem we must solve is whether we have a contract and real classes. And don't you want to make money when you succeed? Money is the engine, the most important signal, that drives our very successful capitalist system, including the desire of our taxpayers not to pay more than they should. .

I love this student's account of the situation at LFHS. There are many devoted teachers who "tutor" for free (I've always thought that was part of their job) because they want their students to excel, yet others do the minimum to keep their job and/or privately "sell" their services outside of the classroom for a very heafty price. There is nothing wrong with demanding a reasonable income... we must all pay our bills, however unfortunately there are many teachers who have lost their passion to help students succeed and they should be replaced. We need to have that flexibility for the high prices we pay. My students suffered from being stuck with too many of them, yet greatly benefitted from those teachers who are a credit to their profession. Ultimately, it is up to the student (and parents) to make the most of every opportunity, and not all students do. I will continue to support those who support us and hope this process will weed out the teachers who take this great school district for granted. To the good teachers: put pressure on the teachers who do not do their job... you all know who they are!

I have never been employed as a teacher.You think that anyone who has a contrary view is somehow a teacher, hired by the teachers or married to one. I am simply a parent that says its time to come to an agreement, and kids lose while adults squabble. We have one problem we need to solve in the next 48 hours: do we have a contract. The laundry list of grievances is ridiculous. This teacher was bad; that one was bad; its never us or our kids, is it? Perhaps you have raised perfect children. I have not.. We start to sound like disgruntled consumers and you don't consume education, you seek it. Yes, we would all like to make the world perfect for our children, but its not. I also have been in business and I know that in every workplace you have performances that vary and different people have different opinions on the same person. My kids have had a strong experience at LFHS. Not every teacher was great, but my kids are better people, not just better students, because of LFHS. Teachers' effectiveness is based on so much more than the scores. While I don't think the teachers are greedy for striking, I wish they weren't striking. So they, too, like the BOE, need to MOVE. I don't think I have been played when the parties move, I think I have been better served. So to the parties, get to work. To the community, lock the doors.

Exactly

Uhh, no. BOE is the bully, they walked out.

BOE please stand firm. Our teachers are compensated more than fairly for the time they contribute. I'd love to see a Merit-based system for pay increases (and job retention) even though I realize that not all students make a great education their top priority. When you teach in a district such as ours, the obstacles to success are few!

From what I understand, the rationale is to have it that high to make up for the pay freeze last year. Other districts (HP, Deerfield, etc.) have had more steady raises over the last couple of years, and this would accomplish in one year what those other districts' contracts did over 2 years. I'm not well enough versed in the financials of the situation to judge whether or not this kind of increase would be responsible, and I think very few of us are. However, I think that it makes sense at least on a basic level.

Go back to a poll taken a few weeks ago on Patch. The question was whether our teachers should receive salaries comparable to salaries at rival North Shore schools. I think that comparability is the main issue, particularly as it applied to the two tiered system that will now be studied. The poll results showed that about 43% favored comparability; 56% did not. That is not perfectly split, but its not overwhelming one way or the other. So that would be the argument.

@Will - the thing is, even with the pay freeze, I think LF is STILL comparable with the other districts. Also, we LAG Deerfield, Stevenson and New Trier in performance.

@Will
They're trying to fool you. Average salary is $106,000.

There was no pay freeze last year. They get raises in so many ways that even if you freeze one part of it the raises are still pretty good. http://www.familytaxpayers.org/salary.php

LFHS 115
Rnk Name 2011 Incr Salary 2010 Incr Salary 2009 Salary
1 Filippo___ 3.14% 168740 8.94% 163605 150178
2 Richards_ 6.00% 153016 6.00% 144355 136184
3 Benson__ 6.00% 151701 4.92% 143115 136405
4 Clark____ 6.00% 151530 6.00% 142953 134861
5 Gress___ 6.00% 149852 6.00% 141370 133367
6 Papp____ 6.00% 146724 6.00% 138419 130584
7 Brandes_ 4.94% 142452 5.85% 135751 128247
8 Gibson__ 6.00% 142201 6.00% 134152 126559
9 Straus___ 6.00% 140166 5.96% 132232 124792
10 Spagnoli 5.37% 137607 2.14% 130589 127856
11 Kuhl____ 3.41% 136593 1.82% 132084 129720
12 Gantt___ 4.10% 135403 2.92% 130072 126381
13 Kopriva_ 3.84% 134449 2.07% 129472 126846
14 Cooney_ 7.41% 134325 3.19% 125064 121203
15 Jerch___ 6.00% 134242 6.00% 126643 119474
16 Clegg___ 6.47% 133945 7.01% 125803 117566
17 Mueller__ 6.00% 132581 3.88% 125077 120406
18 Antrim_ -10.28% 132483 1.30% 147660 145768
19 Naughton 7.23% 132076 -4.59% 123166 129098
20 Littel____ 8.65% 131418 12.04% 120959 107956
21 Johnson_ 6.00% 131344 1.48% 123909 122098
22 Heroux__ 6.00% 130695 5.09% 123297 117324
23 Coad___ 3.71% 130594 2.45% 125922 122908
24 Haskett_ -0.48% 130099 6.85% 130732 122346
25 Nawor__ 5.76% 129965 6.15% 122888 115770

@Hmmmm6. Thank you for your comment. While, of course, all classes need the best prepared teachers, it doesn't mean all classes need to have the most highly compensated ones: they need to have the best teachers. More degrees and more time-in-grade doesn't equal better teaching. I also think we want more meaningful performance evaluations now, not years from now. We also do not understand how "tenure" is pro-student or pro-education, as opposed to pro-teacher. While the issue is primarily (and should be) about what's best for the students, there's also an equity component: we have trouble understanding why educators should have the job security tenure provides, when we don't, and our ability to stay in our jobs is based on our (and our employers')performance. Finally, perhaps I misread your comment, but has the union agreed to pay toward their health care and address the other structural issues the community is concerned about? If so, that's great.

Concerned Citizen:
Your comments are the most accurate of how the parents I've talked to truly feel about the situation here. Thank you!

Concerned Citizen: This hits the mark exactly regarding the frustrations many of us parents and taxpayers have been expressing. I suspect many of our best of class teachers, who have to feel trapped by the limits of the current system and bullied by their union, might agree. Thank you.

@Concerned Citizen(s)Read LF Parent.The BOE is implementing the new mandated performance evaluation system.Watch the board meetings for the last year or call Julie Cooley.Performance evaluation is beginning, and its impact will be real in the world of declining enrollment. .As for benefits, the parties agreed yesterday that teachers would begin to pay more as private employees have for decades. Your argument on not paying for unnecessary credentials is good, but remember that CP classes are entitled to the best prepared teachers as AP classes and in many cases, our credentialed teachers come to us with their education already complete. While the impact of the benefits concession and the performance evaluation system is not yet complete, it is underway.

The process that is incomplete is the signed contract. "Instructional Programming" is not class. Assuming for ease of computation, 200 school days. Each day lost is .5% By Monday, we have lost 2% of our taxes for D 115. Instructional Programming is not class. This is not Brave New World. How much will the BOE spend for unnecessary lawyers, background checks and "instructional programming." How much are we paying for this strike? Cut the deal. To the BOE, you are wasting our money. Do the deal.

The BOE needs community support to stand strong against the bullies of the union bosses. Email the board and tell them you support them. In this economy, it is not time to pass out extravagant raises and benefits. It is time for fiscal sustainability.

Here was the rest (may take 1 more comment) of the Open Letter (sorry, too long to have it all post). If you agree, e-mail the Board and the LFEA:

We recognize that there will be a strong temptation to jump to the effect that admitting these points will have on the various parties’ self-interests and the personal economic effects of abandoning the current, legacy salary structure. But, we should focus first on what would create the best education for our students at the most efficient (not lowest, but most economically efficient) cost. While addressing this issue may take time, it does not mean that the parties cannot come to a short term resolution that would end the strike, e.g. by agreeing to maintain the status quo for a defined time period in which the parties could address these issues.
We expect both sides and all stakeholders to focus on our mutual goal: providing the best education for our students and the best value for our taxpayers.
So, let us be clear about what this issue is not about:
-- Whether or not teachers should have a union.
-- Getting rid of all the teachers. But, neither is it about retaining teachers who do not deliver the quality of education that we expect for our students.
-- Standing on precedent or the status quo. Let’s start with a clean slate.
-- “Feelings” about what the right salary levels are. Let the data drive the decision.

--Having the highest salaries of any other district. We should be focused on providing the best education, not paying the highest salaries.
--Failing to consider the taxpayers’ interests. Please do not sell us short: the vast majority of we taxpayers are economically rational-we will fund what we perceive delivers the best, most economically efficient education to our communities’ children.
--Letting issues we can’t solve get in the way of a real solution. For example, we can’t do anything about pensions: That issue is a broader issue in Illinois that has to be resolved at the state level.
-- And, please, let’s keep name-calling and stereotyping, and personal, non-fact based attacks out of the debate. If we stay focused on the facts, the hard data, and we keep the goal of delivering the best, most economically efficient education as our goal, we can and will solve this issue.

Totally agree with you on this one. There are so many really STRONG and DEDICATED teachers at LFHS, but unfortunately there are too many that abuse the system and do nothing but the minimum to get by. Parents and students are tired of it, and this fact has caused us to get angry now with all that has happened. I can honestly say while our (my family) income has significantly diminished over the years, we have fought hard to stay here because of those REALLY GOOD teachers. They have earned our respect and our desire to find a way to pay them top salaries, but PLEASE good teachers, put pressure on those you know who have brought your barganing power and professionalism down. They have hurt your ability to retain community support.

Talking to teachers or administration you get the impression all teachers are top performers, but we know it's not true.  Like any organization there are the good,  bad and adequate employees and schools are no different, lake forest included.  
Jack Welch's vitality model, described as a "20-70-10" system, is a good way of evaluating performance at an organization.  The "top 20" percent of the workforce is most productive, and 70% (the "vital 70") work adequately. The other 10% ("bottom 10") are nonproducers and should be fired.  The problem is that the 10% in schools never get fired.

This is not the real issue

Close yer yapper you 1%er and sack up for a few dollars more. Us poor folks making $50k/yr struggle each and every day. All you can do it go to the picket line, scream at the teachers who are TEACHING YOUR KIDS while waving your rolex watches. They aren't smart kids just cause. They are smart because of the teachers.

@Brad - well, LF Teachers are the 1% of the teaching industry (i was about to use the word 'profession', but realized that many are not acting like professionals).

They only make "much more" if those degrees are in an area that is actually marketable and "productive". Additionally, not EVERYONE with multiple degrees automatically does better - they have to prove their worth.

If youre so good with number ps good google the average salary of professionals with a masters and two decades experience at a job
Seriously, find me one example that consistnantku pays under 50,000

@Jeff - if strike is NOT about pay, why is it that the teachers won't budge from their 6% per year demand? I am curious as you seem to know more.

Here comes lennie! Listen everyone, this guy is here to simply stir up trouble. His every intention is to bankrupt the schools. He hates public education. Ignore him,

LOL @Brad!!! Following me around now trying to intimidate others. Pathetic.

I agree that most teachers were not given all the facts before the strike vote or the union bosses held the vote in open instead of a secret ballot. This makes it hard for the rank & file teachers to against the vote. I've seen this over and over again where the union bosses bully the rank and file teachers into a strike even though most don't want it. The teachers are really victims themselves of their own union. They too though, must learn to stand up to the bullies until this madness stops.