LETTER: Barrington 220 Board Reassures Community About Teacher Contract Talks

The Barrington 220 Board of Education understands members of the Barrington Education Association have authorized a potential work stoppage. We know this was a difficult and emotional decision for our teachers given the constructive and collaborative contract negotiations of the past eight months.

The Board of Education remains optimistic an agreement is forthcoming to continue a standard of quality and fairness that satisfies our teachers as well as our taxpayers.

The Board of Education is participating in these ongoing deliberations with a focus on fiscal responsibility and competitive compensation. We are again committed to balancing the budget on behalf of our constituents – including our teachers – despite economic uncertainties, unstable state revenues and an unclear legislative future.

Barrington 220 is a respected school system because of its high-achieving students, supportive taxpayers and especially because of its exceptional teachers and staff. The emphasis we give to learning and achievement is underscored by the value we place on the outstanding educators in our classrooms.

The preliminary actions and message of the BEA regarding a possible work stoppage do not mean families should make contingency childcare plans or that an unfortunate disruption to instruction is imminent. It simply means the Board of Education and the BEA have more work to do within the openminded and practical approach we have taken from the start. We believe maintaining this commitment with additional time and flexibility will be mutually beneficial to students, staff and stakeholders in Barrington 220.