To the editor:

The Barrington Educational Support Team (BEST) thanks you for your support all these years and we hope we can count on you once again to support us as we draft our new contract with the Barrington Public School District.

For those of you who don't know what our BEST support staff does in the Barrington Public Schools, we service all students in the district, including students with physical, emotional, developmental and behavioral needs. We work one on one, side by side with educators, teaching all students to be successful academically, socially and emotionally to become outstanding community members.

Our contract has expired due to unsuccessful negotiations with the Barrington Public School Administration. Our BEST Negotiation Committee has been working tirelessly during the school year and throughout the summer to be able to present our members a contract. They, unfortunately, were unsuccessful in their attempts.  Here is where we need your help to "Back the BEST." We are requesting a collaborative and respectful negotiation environment to ultimately benefit all parties involved in the process.  We would like to be a valued part of the collective bargaining process, in good faith, having all voices heard and acknowledged.     

We are asking for a fair wage, commensurate with other neighboring districts, while maintaining our paid time off to insure the health and well being of all of our members. We are the BEST support staff but we need your help to continue servicing our students, your children, and the Barrington community to the BEST of our ability.

We thank you for your support and commitment to continue to provide the BEST educational experience to our students and our community. 

With gratitude,

Barrington Educational Support Team (BEST) members

Barrington