Support staff at Wilmette Public Schools District 39 could strike as early as Monday, Nov. 9, the district said in a Nov. 2 update.

The Wilmette Public Schools District 39 Support Staff Union filed a 10-day strike notice Oct. 29 with the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board (IELRB), Patch reported. The union represents 183 workers across Central, Harper, McKenzie and Romona elementary schools, Highcrest Middle School and Wilmette Junior High School.

Ninety-three percent of union members voted to authorize a strike if necessary, according to Patch's reporting.

The filing does not guarantee a walkout. It allows the union to call one after the required 10-day waiting period if no deal is reached.

What the two sides say

The union and district have been bargaining since April. Their contract expired in August. The two sides have met 11 times, including three sessions with a federal mediator.

The union identified three sticking points: higher wages, no changes to health insurance premium contributions and paid holidays for 10-month employees.

During a seven-hour mediation session the night of Wednesday, Oct. 28, the board said it moved on all three. In a statement signed by board President Anne Hart, the district outlined its updated wage proposal for the 2026-27 school year:

  • 7.25% raises for paraprofessionals and custodians
  • 5.25% for all other support staff
  • An additional $8,000 annual increase for nurses, bringing their average raise to 20.03%
  • An additional $3,500 annual stipend for head custodians, bringing their average raise to 13.59%

The board also said it withdrew a proposed cost-sharing provision on health insurance premiums and agreed to provide three paid holidays to 10-month employees.

For subsequent years, the board proposed compounding raises of 4% in 2027-28, 4% in 2028-29 and 2.5% to 4% in 2029-30 depending on the Consumer Price Index.

Union representatives, according to Patch, argued the district's wage proposal would leave some workers with an inflation-adjusted increase of only 15 cents per hour while also increasing health insurance costs and eliminating paid holidays. The board says it has since addressed the insurance and holiday concerns. It is unclear whether the union's characterization refers to the board's offer before or after the Oct. 28 concessions.

What's at stake for families

Michelle McGregor, transportation coordinator and union president, told Patch the union hopes to avoid disrupting learning. She said the union wants pay "into alignment with surrounding districts."

Elizabeth Candido, a classroom paraprofessional and union vice president, told Patch she earns $29,000 after five years with the district.

The district said it is preparing contingency plans that could include school closures with makeup days, remote eLearning, or operating schools with changes to schedules and services. It has not announced which approach it would use.

What happens next

The district previously announced mediation for Nov. 12. In its Nov. 2 update, the board said the mediator had offered Nov. 4 and 5 and that its bargaining team was available. The district said it had not yet received confirmation of the union’s availability.