• EDITOR’S NOTE: Kane County Connects will update this article as information becomes available from official sources.

The Geneva School District 304 board and representatives of the Geneva Education Association are meeting during the holiday break and have scheduled meetings next week to continue contract talks and try to avoid a possible teacher’s strike.

The two organizations put out a joint message on the District 304 website saying negotiation teams have been meeting in smaller groups recently as suggested by a mediator, “with different makeups and for different purposes.”

The groups have had four meetings during week prior to Nov. 16, and have three additional meetings scheduled for this week.

“All of these sessions have been focused on resolving the compensation model issue and both teams have agreed not to make public any progress or outcomes from these meetings until a model has been agreed to,” the join message said.

Full teams have meetings scheduled for Monday, Nov. 26, and Wednesday, Nov. 28.

“The negotiations teams are committed to working together toward a new collective bargaining agreement that reflects the interests and values of both the Board and the GEA,” the joint letter to the community said.

The letter was signed by Dr. Adam Law, District 304 assistant superintendent of human resources, School Board President Mark Grosso, GEA President Kevin Gannon and GEA Vice President Tammy Thompson.

Teachers were granted the legal right to strike any time after Nov. 13, but so far have chosen not to, according to a D304 website post.

If a strike were to occur, students would not attend school, and a comprehensive and timely plan would be communicated to parents and students via the district’s communication channels, including: district and school websites, 304 Connects email, emergency phone notification system, and social media accounts.

“If you are a parent or guardian of a Geneva 304 student, be sure that your contact information is up to date in Home Access Center,” the Geneva CUSD 304 administration said.

According to the Illinois Education Association website, GEA and community members picketed Monday, Nov. 12, ahead of District 304’s Board of Education meeting.

“What happens at the bargaining table doesn’t just affect our educators,” said GEA President Kevin Gannon on the IEA website. “The whole community is impacted. Their voices should be heard and the meeting will provide a great opportunity for the board to hear from our community.”

According to the School District’s calendar, Wednesday, Nov. 14, was the end of the trimester for elementary and middle school students.

There is no school scheduled for Monday, Nov. 19, through Friday, Nov. 23.

SOURCE: Geneva District 304 website, IEA website, GEA website and Facebook page