Teachers and support personnel in the Westville Unit 2 School District staged informational picketing last evening (Wednesday) in hopes of getting contract talks resolved….
Audio Player{AUDIO: “What do we want?’’ – “Contract!’’ – ‘’When do we want it?’’ – ‘’Now!’’}
{Westville teachers prepare to enter Wednesday evening’s school board meeting.}
The picketing preceded a school board meeting where the board heard comments from parents along with some current and retired staff. Chris Nicholson thinks pay hikes are necessary in order to retain good teachers….
Audio Player{Audio: “I’m struggling to understand how we can be so close, and at the same time – it’s kind of like I’m just being told that we’re basically not worth it. Right? We’re not worth it. We’re not worth the little extra.’’}
Nicole Newman is a 26 year veteran teacher in the Westville District….
Audio Player{AUDIO: ‘’I put my heart, my sole, my sweat, my blood and tears into this district. And I will do it because of the kids. I love these kids and I will do anything to make their lives better – and to make their goals be achieved. And you know what? It’s not just about me. It’s about my fellow staff members, and it’s about the cooks, the custodians, all the people who work in that building…..’’
{Michaele Hallett voices her concerns during the board meeting at the Westville Unit 2 board room.}
School Board member Paul Shannon at one point asked whether the rank and file of the Westville Education Association has been told what the board is offering. ‘’Ask them to tell you,’’ said Shannon, ‘’then tell me…how deplorable things are and how bad things are.’’
{Westville School Board members listen to comments at Wednesday evening’s meeting.}
Westville School Superintendent Seth Miller is hopeful an agreement can be reached soon…..
Audio Player{AUDIO: “I think the district has been engaged in meaningful negotiations with the WEA since late spring. The board has worked with the WEA to set up federal mediation to help reach agreement. The board will continue to respect the bargaining process and negotiate in good faith as it works for a positive outcome.’’
Also during the meeting the Westville School Board approved its new tax levy. The levy is up 9.9 percent over the past year.
