With teachers’ contracts due to expire in August, Community High School District 94 and the West Chicago High School Teachers Association are preparing to begin negotiations in February.

The District 94 team will consist of some members of administrative staff and board and the union team consists of five teachers.

The contract signed between the district and the union in 2006 was for one year, with teachers receiving raises of 4.26 percent and paying 5 to 10 percent more respectively for single and family health insurance.

Association President Barb Laimins said last year there were many unknown factors, including the financial state of the district, the changed schedule, elimination of some faculty and staff, and the new assessed valuation of property.

“Last year we had a $1.4 million deficit,” said School Board President Tony Reyes. “To overcome this, we eliminated 14 teacher positions, six assistant coaches, class sponsors and approximately seven staff positions, plus deferred a roofing project. The current board is committed to a balanced budget. Previous boards overspent by almost a $1 million a year and we had to cease this practice. Balancing a budget is a struggle as costs continue to rise, but, at the same time we want to maintain a high quality education for our students.”

The negotiating period consists of many discussions and this time will be for a longer contract period.

“We like to have a multiple-year contract for at least three years,” Laimins said. “It is difficult for all parties involved to do this on a yearly basis.”

“The big issues will be health benefits and salaries, but there are many aspects to a contract, which both the board and teachers must agree upon,” Reyes said.

Laimins agreed.

“It is a step-by-step process and one we hope will be amicable on the most part,” she said.