IS DISTRICT 206 BLOOM TRAIL GETTING READY TO STRIKE?

Superintendent of Schools- D206
Dr. Lenell Navarre

By Joseph Wiszowaty
CHICAGO HEIGHTS | Teachers of Bloom Township School District 206, which serves all of Sauk Village, will be staging what is being called a march at a School Board meeting Monday night according to a source.  The march, apparently a protest against stalled contract negotiations.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, indicated this could be a prelude to an actual teacher strike.  Teachers in District 206 have not had a pay raise in over 3 years according to the source.

It was also learned that Dr. Lenell Navarre, Superintendent of District 206 has been removed from the negotiations and a mediator has now been brought in.

Donald Aprati, speaking on behalf of the Board of Education for Bloom Township High School District 206 said in a prepared statement in response to our request: "While it is not the practice of the Board and Administration to comment on the ongoing negotiations for any bargaining unit, the Board believes it is important to provide answers to questions in order to demonstrate that the District is working towards the best interest of the students, staff, community, District stakeholders and taxpayers" Aprati said.

"First, the District team, led by the Superintendent, is committed to negotiating a fair deal for all involved.  The Superintendent has been working during the entire process at the direction of the Board toward achieving its goals in addition to opening schools and implementing the terms of the $6 million School Improvement Grant that was obtained to improve the education of the students in the District" Aprati said.

Aprati was not able to comment on Navarre being removed and mediation being needed except adding "I can tell you that mediation is a process that causes both sides to do the appropriate amount of searching for what is most important to reaching an agreement that is in the best interest of all involved, but most importantly for the students" Aprati said.  "Mediation is a part of the process of negotiations in this day and age; a process the Board welcomes" he said.

"The Board has always had a good relationship with the faculty Association.  We strive to continue that relationship which has always been based on the teachers being treated fairly, providing salary increases when possible and fiscally prudent and to move the District in the best interest of educating it's most important asset, it's students" Aprati said.