H-F High School Teachers Union Endorsement Raises Questions with Candidate

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Homewood-Flossmoor Educational Organization’s (HFEO) President Dana Noble said in an article published in the Homewood Chronicle that his organization is endorsing the four Board of Education incumbents in the upcoming School Board Elections on Tuesday, April 7.

Candidate Don Popravak, who is seeking a seat on the school board said, “In my opinion it’s unethical to seek and/or accept an endorsement from a union during contract negotiations.”

The HFEO Union is currently negotiating a new three-year contract for the teachers at the High School.

“If you look just at the appearance of this endorsement it says that the taxpayers’ best interests are not being served here,” Popravak said. “There is a line in the Oath of Office for school board members that states - ‘I further swear that: I shall respect taxpayer interests by serving as a faithful protector of the school district’s assets.’”

Popravak asked, “What type of negotiating position does this put the school board in on behalf of the taxpayers of the district in having sought this endorsement, and what might be given up in the negotiations for accepting it?”

The current Homewood-Flossmoor Educational Organization’s contract with the high school expires on August 31, 2015.