'No Progress' After 11-Hour Negotiating Session

Negotiating teams from the Strongsville teachers' union and the Strongsville School Board met for 11 hours Tuesday, but report no progress toward a settlement in the ongoing strike.

A statement released by School Board President David Frazee said the two sides met face-to-face in a federal mediator's office in Independence, "and no progress has been made."

SEA President Tracy Linscott echoed that statement, saying the talks ended abruptly when the board refused to budge on its last offer, which it presented March 2. 

"We met for 11 hours, and after 10 hours and 50 minutes, the board's attorney said they're not moving off their last best offer," Linscott said. "So that's it. We're right back where we were."

It was the second time since Strongsville teachers went on strike March 4 that the two sides have met with a federal mediator to hash out a new contract for the 383 members of the Strongsville Educaton Association.

On two other occasions, representatives from each side met privately with the mediator.

Linscott said the two sides had a series of discussions throughout the 11-hour session.

"We actually met and talked today, so that was a good sign," she said.

But in the end, the strike was no closer to being resolved. 

"No further mediation sessions were scheduled as a result of today's meeting," the statement from the school district said.

For other stories on the teachers' strike, click here.

• Get the latest Strongsville news delivered to your inbox every morning by signing up for our free newsletter. Click here.

• See when each new story is published by liking us on Facebook.