ALTON, Ill. —On Monday, teachers in Alton were picketing outside an elementary school demanding a new contract, and if it doesn’t happen a strike could be on the table.
Teachers in Alton were holding up signs and their message was clear, pay them more or they will strike. It’s something 5th-grade instructor Jason Chapman said is long overdue.
“Funding is not paid at its full rate, we're paid at a partial rate, transportation isn't paid a lot of it's left to the districts to pay,” Chapman said.
Alton teachers have worked without a contract since August of 2017, but they’re not the only district in the state who's experienced problems.
“The state of Illinois has historically been shortchanging our school district. It’s not just Alton but all over the state,” Chapman said.
Recently the Illinois State Board of Education granted $1.5 million in funding to the district and in the past district leaders said they're willing to offer some raises but not all. However, teachers are fed up and they said if an agreement is not made soon they will continue to move toward a strike, which could hurt the students.
“We don't want to strike we want to be in the classroom with our students that's where we belong. We believe it’s time for the district to stop trying to balance this budget on the backs of the teachers and staff, and were willing to do what we have to do to get what we need. If that means we have to walk out and do a strike action we're willing to do that,” Chapman said.
In addition to negotiations happening in Alton there is also a vote being made on house bill 5627 that could help with the teacher shortage in the state. If that bill is passed it will allow Illinois to compete with other states for the best teachers.
