Thursday, September 13, 2012
Representatives of Board and union did not meet Wednesday and Board President Sharon Golan does not expect a session Thursday.
Representatives of the two sides in the Lake Forest High School teacher strike did not meet Wednesday, are not likely to talk today and both blame the other for the stalemate likely to keep students out of class another day. “We did not meet Wednesday and I feel that we will not meet tomorrow,” Lake Forest High School Community School District 115 Board of Education President Sharon Golan said. Golan says the teachers will not meet and the educators claim the Board will not negotiate. Earlier: Lake Forest Teachers Strike as Negotiations Fail “We made them an offer and they didn’t offer us anything back,” Lake Forest Education Association teachers’ union (LFEA) spokesperson Chuck Gress said arguing the Board is trying to force the teachers …
Chuck Spagnoli conducts football practice while union considers the activity crossing teachers’ picket line.
- SCHOOLS
- Jon Kerr
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Thursday, September 13, 2012
Most Lake Forest High School athletic teams did not practice on the first day of a teachers' strike. Some teams worked out. But only one coach crossed the union’s picket line to conduct practice. That teacher was Head Football Coach Chuck Spagnoli, who met his players at the West Campus for practice in hopes the teachers will settle with the Lake Forest High School District 115 Board of Education in time to play Friday’s scheduled game against Lake Zurich. Two Scouts confirmed Spagnoli conducted the practice. He also teaches in the health and wellness department. The players asked their names be withheld because of the sensitivity of the situation. When asked about his decision to coach, Spagnoli declined to comment. "Any member of the …
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Reader questions timing of strike.
- OPINION
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Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The pending strike by LF District 115 teachers union, LFEA, with direct affiliation to the Illinois (IEA) and the National union (NEA) is ironic in that the Chicago Teachers Union is similarly affiliated. The timing of the Chicago and the Lake Forest unions is more than likely coincidental, or perhaps not. Strategically, the timing is perfect for both School Districts; new school year complete with parent and student apprehension, the midst of a football season, and new academics in which to orient and master. Falling behind early in the year is disruptive for the students and will drive the parent’s nuts. All of forgoing is designed to bring extraordinary pressure on the Board of Education (BOE) to cave, irrespective of cost and loss of…
Union, Board trade accusations after 11th hour bid to reach settlement
A last ditch effort to avoid a work stoppage by Lake Forest High School teachers failed shortly after 11 p.m. Tuesday as they officially went on strike at 12:01 a.m. today with each side blaming the other for the lack of success. Representatives of the Lake Forest Community High School District Board of Education and Lake Forest Education Association teachers’ union (LFEA) went into a negotiation session with a federal mediator Tuesday immediately after the regularly scheduled Board meeting. Earlier: High School Board Releases Strike Plan Both sides accuse the other of refusing to budge, enter a lengthy negotiation session to reach an agreement or bargain in good faith. “The Lake Forest Education Association is disappointed that the Board …
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Nerves are brittle as students and parents wait to see if there really is a work stoppage.
As the possibility of a teacher’s strike Lake Forest High School is less than a day away and the pictures of what such a labor stoppage would look like emerge from Chicago, opinions are flying on the matter from concerned parents, students and residents. On a near weather perfect Monday afternoon, the people caught directly in the middle of a possible labor stoppage, the students, were obviously worried about their academic future. Earlier: Citizen Concern for Teacher Strike Remains Low “We’re upset that we won’t get to play Wednesday against New Trier and Oak Park Thursday,” Amanda McMahon, a member of the field hockey team, said. “We have been working hard in these games and it can determine how we place in the State Tournament.”Athletes…
Tensions escalate with strike less than a day away. Work stoppage will force cancellation of athletic contests.
The contract dispute between the Lake Forest Education Association teachers’ union (LFEA) and Lake Forest Community High School District 115 intensified Monday when the union filed an unfair labor practices claim against the Board. This complaint added to the contentious relationship developing between the Board and the LFEA. With the teachers planning to strike in just over 18 hours, the two sides are unable to agree on when to next meet. Earlier: Teachers, Board Posture as Strike Looms The Board wanted to meet Monday afternoon but the teachers asked for a meeting today. The Board could not meet then because of its regularly scheduled meeting at 7 p.m. today at the West Campus. The teachers explained Sunday they wanted to present their …
Monday, September 10, 2012
Local resident urges settlement.
Union invites public comment at Tuesday’s Board meeting while District negotiating team says it will show up to talk Monday whether the union arrives or not.
A desire for public participation is part of the reason for the stalemate between the Lake Forest Community High School District 115 Board of Education and the Lake Forest Education Association teachers’ union (LFEA) in the ongoing talks over a new contract. With a strike scheduled to start at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, the LFEA wants citizens to voice their opinion during the public comment portion of the Board’s meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the West Campus. The teachers will be present and ready to talk to District negotiators after the meeting. Earlier: Latest Teacher Talks Fail to Produce Agreement “The Board of Education negotiators need to meet with the parents of the Lake Forest High School students before we can continue to negotiate …
Sunday, September 9, 2012
With no further negotiation sessions set as of Saturday afternoon and a strike set at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, read Patch's coverage and form your own opinion.
Friday, September 7, 2012
School building will remain open in the event of a work stoppage. Attendance will be voluntary the first three days and mandatory after that.
Lake Forest High School will remain open in the event of a strike by the teachers at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday but busses will not run and attendance will not be required until Sept. 17, according to a letter sent to parents today by the Board of Education. The building will be open from 7:50 a.m. to 3:10 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and lunch will be available, according to the letter. “The building will remain open as a safe, supervised, and supportive environment for all students,” the Board said in the letter. Earlier: Latest Teacher Talks Fail to Produce Agreement The letter was silent about bus service after the first three days. There will be no impact on the college application process. The letter also indicated the strike plan …
LF Resident/Parent
9:23 am on Friday, September 14, 2012
According to the BOE's statement they have agreed to remove the 2 Tier system and phase in the HMO contributions. Accoring to the LFEA websie they were opposed to those items. So with those items addressed isn't it time we all speak the truth that it was about the money all along? more ›