Hinsdale High School Teachers Union Needs to Respect Taxpayers

I think it is very American for an employee to strive for the highest income they can command. The sobering fact is that in Hinsdale District 86 the salaries of the unionized teachers, guidance counselors, social workers, etc., are greater than the median incomes for most of the district’s residents.

Median income for residents in District 86 are:

Hinsdale- $140,125

Burr Ridge - $97,285

Clarendon Hills - $84,886

Oak Brook - $82,000

Willowbrook - $57,050

Darien - $51,045

Westmont - $47,145 

Source: usacityfacts.com

The average teacher salary for District 86 exceeds $111,000, which, again, exceeds all median incomes in the district except those those living in Hinsdale.  

As all workers hope for raises every year, they can only be given raises if the company or organization that pays them has the money to do so. The tax cap is limited by CPI (consumer price index) and the teachers’ union is asking for an average increase of 5.2 percent, which is nearly three times the CPI-based tax and not sustainable.   

In an area where property taxes have more than doubled (some almost tripled) in the last decade, things are getting pretty tight here. Residents took a financial hit during the recession years while teachers enjoyed increases. We are thankful that the Dist. 86 Board of Education managed to offer both the teachers a raise of 1.7 percent or 100 percent of CPI, while freezing our property taxes.  These volunteer board members shouldn’t be demonized for keeping to a budget and advocating for students and taxpayers.  

Hopefully the union will show respect for the taxpayers and accept the district’s offer this week. Harmony can be achieved with a simple agreement and then all parties can get back to focusing on educating our kids.

J.M.

Westmont