THE BUGLE JANUARY 2, 2014
sChOOLs
VILLage BOard
emeRALd AsH BoReR
DEVASTATES An invasive beetle, the EAB feeds on the inner bark of ash trees, effectively preventing the tree from transporting water and nutrients
The invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer a few years ago is beginning to take its toll with 36,000 trees set to be its victim within five years, and the process of removing and replacing them nearing the millions. In Bolingbrook alone, where the EAB was first discovered in the spring of 2011, more than a hundred trees are dying, while more and more being infected each year. The Village Board approved an approximate $66,000 tree replacement program
VALLEY VIEW TEACHERS ACCEPT NEW CONTRACT
Vote passed with a margin of 155 After a long process and to the teachers May 15 and several proposals, Valley was accepted. View School District 365u Teachers will receive a teachers approved a contract $1,200 stipend this year and allowing for a 2 percent a 2 percent increase for next salary increase and higher year. However, insurance insurance premiums. premiums will change. In a vote that passed with Members who were hired a margin of after 1996, 155 votes, with five the teachers or more BreaKINg dOWN p a s s e d years in the The NUmBers essentially district, do new valley view teacher a one-year currently contract contract that pay a is effective premium immediately percentage teachers will receive a $1,200 and will for family stipend this year and a 2 expire June coverage percent increase for next year. 30, 2014. For currently however, insurance premiums nearly a year, and with the will change. teachers proposal have been will be working p a y i n g without a contract. The an additional annual majority of the 1,800 certified contribution of $600. Those and classified members of the with less than five years district voted down previous in the district pay a higher proposals, marking the first premium percentage for time members rejected a family and single. contract in nearly a decade. Under the new contract, While both union insurance benefits will be representatives and district the same across the board for officials have said their teachers and administrators. relationship is open and non- Previously, teachers saw a combative, the two groups 5 percent increase over the sought mediation. A new past four years. proposal was then brought
$1,200
BUGLE FILE PHOTO
An Emerald Ash Borer is shown next to a nickel for scale. The damage caused by the insect is readily apparent in the photo.
of 142 affected trees mainly in the area of Route 53 and Boughton Road. Mayor Roger Claar reported that this was just the beginning of a serious problem that is going to require a lot of money and time to correct. After a comprehensive study, the village estimates that there are13,000 trees in the public parkway
throughout the village and estimates at least double that amount on private property. An invasive beetle, the EAB feeds on the inner bark of ash trees, effectively preventing the tree from transporting water and nutrients. If the bug is not addressed, it has the potential to wipe out the entire ash tree species.
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