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Teacher pay levels BETA survey here Visit the BETA blog and express your opinion here What are your fellow taxpayers saying?  here

LOCAL TAX NEWS UPDATE --- November 9, 2009

Village of Barrington – BETA attended the Levy Hearing at the Village on  November 9, 2009 to present its opposition to any increase.  However, in a report given by the Village, we learned that existing village property owners should see  a decrease in the property taxes paid to the Village of 6% to12%.  “The owner of  a house with a fair market value of $450,000 should see a decrease in property taxes paid to the Village of approximately $60 in Cook County and $96 in Lake    County.” 

Cuba Township – Cuba Township head Dave Nelson has informed BETA that they are intending to reduce their budget by 5% for the ensuing tax year thus reducing the levy and decreasing real estate taxes.               

In view of these hard economic times that everyone is going through, we COMMEND the actions of the Village of Barrington and Cuba Township.

Barrington Area Library – BETA attended the Levy Hearing on the evening of  11/9/2009 and presented its opposition to any increase.   Despite the fact that there is a tax cap (lower of CPI or 5%), the Barrington Area Library is asking for a 53.13% increase from the prior year.    At the conclusion of the meeting the Board indicated they would further discuss the issue.

CUSD 220 – The tax levy is scheduled for approval over the Board of Education’s next 3 meetings:  November 17 – Initial discussion; December 1 – Public hearing; December 15 – possible approval.    Anyone wishing to speak about the Levy should attend the Public Hearing. 

Barrington Park District – no information as yet.

New District 220 Teachers Contract is approved.  Read Announcement here:

The  2010 Member Dues Letter and Tax Protest letter has been mailed 
to BETA members.  A printable copy of the letter has been posted.  

Click here:

"In this time of economic distress by so many taxpayers should the school budget be cut or at least held to no increase?  Should teachers again receive pay/benefit increases much greater than that received by the taxpayers?" 

Quote from a Barrington taxpayer who spoke at the February 3rd District 220 Board Meeting

Statements in response were made by Board Trustee Tim Hull

- - - "and because we’re - - we’re very closely coming into negotiating a
new teachers contract this - - this comes at a very - - ah - - critical
time as well. I guess what I’d want to add is that - - you know - -
for the teachers who might be listening in or somehow hear about our
discussion - - it’s not - - we wouldn’t want to freeze their wages or
lower their wages just because other people may be having their
difficulties with their job security and so forth or having their
coverage’s for some reason - - it’s a reaction to our reality here in
our school district - - right - - what monies we have available - -
that’s what would determine how we would negotiate a contract - - not
based on some kind of overall reaction to our national situation. Am I
right about that?"

Transcribed from the Comcast Access channel #97 broadcast of the
February 3, 2009 District 220 School Board meeting

Everyone must take these teacher contract negotiations seriously.  Please write our School Board Trustees and let them know how you feel about this subject. Email addresses here.

Read a letter sent to Mr. Hull and his response - here

2009 Teacher Contract Articles & Discussion

• BETA releases a Call to Action for its members - Read here

• Local newspaper articles - Read here

• What are your fellow taxpayers saying? - Read here

• CUSD220 BEA Contract Agreement: 2006 - 2009 - Read here

• Teacher raises:  2006 - 2009 increases ranged in the amount of 6.5% to almost 10% - Read here

• Compare teacher benefits and salary administration with the private sector - Read here

Outlook or Outlook Express users - Address an email message to all School Board members with ONE CLICK 

Visit the BETABLOG  
http://betamembers.blogspot.com/

Express your opinion about current topics that affect our taxes and quality of life.

What is a blog?  A BLOG is a "web log".  It will provide commentary on current issues that affect BETA members and will allow them to communicate their opinions about those issues to BETA and others. Many people periodically email BETA with their feelings and opinions.  The BETABLOG will provide another more public forum for members to communicate.

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