War Of Words Between Hinsdale Teachers, School Board Continues

(CBS) -- War of words today as the teachers union and school board in Hinsdale High School District 86 discuss separately the possibility of a teacher walkout a month from now.

Teachers say the earliest they'd walkout would be October 14th--after Hinsdale Central High School has had its homecoming festivities October 11th.

School board president Richard Skoda praises teachers for not disrupting homecoming but says now they should permanently "lay down their strike weapon".

Dr. Skoda says, though, "The board condemns this latest development which threatens the uninterrupted education of our children and causes great angst in the community. The board also feels it demonstrates bargaining in bad faith."

Teachers union spokesman Mike Palmquist says he's "not optimistic" by where the labor dispute is headed. He says the school board won't even give the teachers union another possible date for negotiations.

The school board says it's offering pay raises averaging 2.8% but wants to hold the line for the future. School Board president Skoda says a third of teachers make $130,000 a year without holding any other assignments such as coaching a team. Board vice-president Edward Corcoran says the average teachers salary in District 86 is $111,000.

The union does not like the way the cost-of-living yearly step pay raises would be structured under the board's proposal, nor does it like the change in premiums for health insurance.