In most mediations, the parties remain separate and it is the job of the mediator to go between the parties and attempt a resolution.

what part of final offer do these teachers not understand
Most whom i have talked to say that the board should have just stopped paying the pension pickup, and not even converted it to the teachers salary,
BOE just end the pension pickup pickup and give them a 3% raise instead plus covering their own pension payment

Linscott said the teachers submitted a counter-proposal March 2, and are still waiting for a response from the board. LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL

<<<sigh>>> Can't say I really expected much else.

Dear Teachers, hahahahahahahaaha! Time to take a new vote. I would bet a majority wants to take the deal and go back to work. You lost.

Dear Mrs. Linscott, for future reference, winning public support is very important in these situations, and the best way to do that is to do the opposite of everything you and the teachers have done so far. (You may not need this information, since it is unlikely you will still have a job in 2 weeks, but pass it on).

Given that they made the Board waste their day re-explaining what "Best and Final" means, now is the time to get punitive, and start reducing the offer.

2 weeks of Big Trace trying to play hard ball, and she's made zero progress.

If you had to guess, what % of the SEA really believes in her ability to lead? At this point, is 25% too high?

Tracy is in so far over her head it is pitiful. SEA, time for a leadership change?

Way to go BOE----stay strong, one more week till Spring Break.

Weather forecast
- Strongsville, OH, Monday 3/18/13
- Precipitation 100%
- Humidity 63%
- Wind 16 MPH
- High 46F
- Low 30F
- Chance of Ice.
As posted last week to the Strikers:

To quote Big Chuck telling Goulardi (Ernie Anderson) from the Cleveland classic TV skit, Parma Place:

“You better put your gotchies on tonight. It’s colder than a well digger’s wooket.”
(gotchies, slang for long underwear and wooket, slang for “rear end”)

Hopefully the BOE had a TV in their room to watch OSU win the Big 10 championship.

I had to listen(sort of obey) my boss. If I didn't like it I had to suck it up or find a new job. The Sea is NOT the teachers' boss. The citizens are and the BOE that the citizens voted for are your boss.

Congrats and well done Board! Stay strong and thank you for saying enough is enough.

Hey I can get you greedy teachers some orange vests to wear while picketing so you do not get hit by a car. Gonna be a cold one this week. I will even buy them since we all know you do not want to pay for anything yourself. Arrogant, self-loving fools.

YES, stay strong BOE....thank you !!!!

Union .... stay OUT of our neighborhoods !

someone needs to go over that tracys house and take her Jimmy Hoffa dvd away from her

Like I have read on here before, how did that Hostess strike end up again?

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!

Hey Tracy Lane Bryant is hiring.

I am so happy that this board is standing strong. SEA supporters can deny it all they want, but there is a palpable rustling amongst the ranks of the SEA striking teachers. They were at first hypnotized by some weight watchers drop out after she spouted rhetoric to them, over and over again, how they are "undervalued" and "deserve more." Well, now that they are seeing the community is NOT with them and they are noticing their paychecks aren't sent out and actually paying a bit for hospitalization costs...a small taste of the real world may be hitting them.

If anything, this board should be lowering it's offer with every week this strike continues. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know the SEA's entire foundation is shaking. Put more pressure on them to confront their leader...Hamburgler...or whatever her name is...and sit back and watch the entire organization implode.

A serious question for SEA supporters....do you think Tracy is doing a good job leading/being the face of this situation? I'd like to hear someone defend the "work" she is doing.

I agree Tracy Linscott is the problem she always has been even15 years ago when my son walked into her third grade classroom and she told him she didn't like him and would fail him..She bullied way back then but luckliy we were moving and he transferred to Drake. To be honest she really should be fired she has disgraced our city and a leader she is not and I'm sure some of those teachers would cross the picket lines to save their jobs but they are afraid as they do have to work with these people if Strongsville doesn't break the union and this strike is settled, so I can see that point too. Stay strong BOE your doing exactly what we elected you to do.

Tracy Norma Rae Lynscott has failed the strongsville teachers
They need to remove her now she is clueless
she is still wondering about the 108 page proposal she submitted on march 2nd to see if the board will accept it

"Linscott said the teachers submitted a counter-proposal March 2, and are still waiting for a response from the board" WHAT !!!!!!!!!!

I'd consider giving Bernie a seat at the table. The SEA needs a stern talking to. Most don't live in the City, and those that do are flying under the radar when not on their 1.5 hour strike shift.

I think it would be a good idea to have a guy like Bernie there to speak for the public.

Tad, you seem to know your stuff and with all of your wealth and knowledge, you could lead this city to places we have only dreamed about.

Some striker just sent out a mass email asking if anyone would put a sign in their yard in support of teachers. Seriously? The very word teachers is too broad. They mean STRIKERS, they can't be lumped in with employed and hard working teachers. Sure I support "teachers" and I will NEVER support those STRIKERS. Maybe they are trying to figure outif they have any supporters over the age of 18? They are Not in reality. Other teachers don't support them. My kids LOVE their new teachers , they still miss the old ones but as time goes on...things are beginning to seem normal and there is NO agenda inside the schools now except their education. YES we support teachers, NO we don't support SEA Strikers.

2013 SEA MOTTO: "EVERY CHILD LEFT BEHIND" 3/4/13

Kim L,

I only post under one name, and have been fairly consistent in my approach: modesty and a general willingness to debate the other side.

I can't help it if someone else likes what I say. Not sure why I'm being attacked by you, but oh well. I'll live (comfortably).

Bon Bini.

TEACHERS OF STRONGSVILLE...........you need to replace this lady .......so now going into the 3rd week .....Tracy still does not understand last best offer .... she keeps saying the board still wont budge ....but the SEA has not even submitted another proposal since they are still waiting for a answer about the one they released on the 2nd ...........Linscott said the teachers submitted a counter-proposal March 2, and are still waiting for a response from the board

The fact that you all seem to be happy that a strike will continue is just sad... absolutely sad.

Bye bye Tracy. Stick the fork in the pork is done.

So, Linscott is concerned that kids are watching movies. Where was the SEA when a teacher who has announced his retirement began showing feature length films in his business class, until a parent finally had enough and complained? What's the difference? Linscott and cronies, stop using my kids as pawns. This sham of concern about what is going on in the schools after the teachers walked out on them is a not working. BOE, time to hire permanent replacements.

It is time to move on and do what is best for the kids. The strikers can either come back to teach and be a teacher again or just remain unemployed.. Kids need stability so it is time to hire the replacement teachers. Even a wounded animal knows when it is hurt and not working anymore they to chew off its own foot to survive!! Leave the SO called teachers on the side walk permanently! As a parent of 2 kids in the Strongsville school system I WILL never support Those teachers who striked against MY kids!! St Joseph and St John here comes 2 more kids!!!!

if best=final, then job is equal to, greater than or less tha friends. Sometimes you have to do what is best for you.

I just read the teachers facebook site what a bunch of *&%# union propanganda...
They blame everyone under the sun for the strike....
As I stated before the teachers have always thought they are better than the rest of the public...
There true colors are coming out.. Problem is they picked the wrong city to try and bully...
Stay Strong BEO

After what I have seen twice a day while driving past strikers at the nearby elementary school, I certainly wouldn't want any of those people teaching my kids. Break the union, fire them all, and start over with quality young teachers hungry to do a good job in a nice community.

Has anybody noticed that the teachers seem to be getting bigger every week!!!!!
All that free food is packing on the weight.............
Keep walking it may help.

even the poor homeless lady that was hanging around last week had nothing good to say about the ex teachers....what a joke.

Roseanne, ummmm I mean Tracy, looks like Amy Farrah Fowler - minus the IQ.

I wonder if the teachers will be on the picket line during spring break....
WISHFUL THINKING

Do we even want these teachers back after the bullying antics and deplorable behavior they have set as a group since mid January ?

Does anyone know if there is "legal deadline" to reach before BOE can terminate 100% of SEA personnel ?

Terminated SEA personnel would then have to interview for a job along with a thousand other highly qualfied/motivated job seeking teachers.

Saturday afternoon pro student rallies will GROW in numbers as the weeks fly by.

Stay strong BOE !!!!

TSW

TEACHERS you need to brush up on your reading may I suggest "the National Labor Relations Act"

A unionized employees right to reinstatement after a strike ends varies based on the type of strike and the underlying reason for the strike. Employers are allowed to hire replacement workers during unfair labor practice strikes and economic strikes.

Economic strikers who are striking as a result of the employers failure to reach an agreement over wages or other working conditions may be permanently replaced but cannot be terminated. Strikers who are striking as a result of an unfair labor practice cannot be permanently replaced or terminated.

At the end of a strike, unfair labor practice strikers are entitled to be reinstated to their former positions (even if that means the employer has to terminate replacement workers) as long as they have not participated in any misconduct. Economic strikers who offer to return to work after the employer has hired permanent replacement workers are not entitled to reinstatement. However, if they can't find equivalent employment elsewhere, they are entitled to be recalled as job openings become available.

SEA - Every Child Left Behind. Perfect.

So tired of seeing the inept and misguided Big Trace on the news saying this is all about the kids. Does she really believe we are as stupid as she is? Tracy Linscott Presser is an embarassment. She'll be responsible for the demise of a great group of teachers.

As for the actions of those on the picket line... I heard from a few folks over the weekend that they're very tried of the actions of some teachers when they're pulling into schools. People have had it. One particular music teacher at Chapman likes to smack her hand on people's cars when they're pulling in..... I hope she does that to mine. I'll enjoy having a conversation with her. Great role model.

Cold and rainy yikes !!!!!

On my way to work this morning, no one was in front of Chapman picketing. Maybe they are looking for subs from neighboring school districts to cover for them due to the inclement weather. Wouldn't it be awesome if one by one the teachers crossed the picket line? Now THAT would send a message loud and clear to the SEA.

I am flying out of Hopkins this AM (this weather is to dreary). Anyway, I made it a point to drive by a grade school (8:15 AM) and Center (8:25 AM). In total, there could not have been more than 30 people combined at both. Does the SEA have 100 people picketing at any given time? Where is the commitment and full buy-in of the members. I know its cold and rainy, but this is your cause. Human nature will take over and people on the line will start getting annoyed with the less vocal members, the less committed will start getting annoyed with Big Trace's lack of progress, etc.
What a pathetic showing this AM.

http://www.strongnet.org/cms/lib6/OH01000884/Centricity/Domain/5/Financial%20Report%20September%202012.pdf

I googled strongsville city schools budget and that url was the 3rd one down.

If I read the report right it says on page 9 that in 2012 actual total revenue for the schools was $69,233,397 and the sum total of salaries, wages, retirement, and insurance was $58,614,397 or 84.7%. Basically the teachers/staff are costing the schools 85% of the school budget. IS there any other business that anyone knows about that pays its employees 85% of their sales and how is 85% not enough

The schools with the "Excellent Distinction" will be no more next year when the new Federal Curriculum "Common Core" is put in place next year .Strongsville ,Avon Lake ,Hudson etc..will all be using the same material and tests....Teachers will be evaluated by their class tests scores..Unfunded Federal Mandate..More Levies to be passed ..no wonder the teachers want to get their "Fair Share " now while the gettins good..STOPCOMMONCORE.COM... FACEBOOK OHIO COMMON CORE

Just got word from the high school that at least one teacher crossed the line this morning! Great decision! I am sure the kids will be happy to see you.

I was actually given the name but will withhold until we get confirmation. I agree about the rumors- Richard, but I am hopeful. It is time for the teachers to understand that without support from the Community, it is time to get back into the classroom and be appreciative of what you have.

This strike may redefine education in Ohio for decades. The fact that a union of public employees can be defeated shows other cities it can be done. No more fat contracts that are unfair to the taxpayer. This has to happen. We cannot afford business as usual and give in everytime they decide the are "worth it". Reality is reality. IF we give in this time, the next contract we wont be talking about teachers averaging 64-68k plus incredible bennies. We will be talking about 75-78k with incredible bennies. And they will want more. I dont think they realized we would awaken to how bad we are getting screwed. Well, we did. Strongsville is an amazing town of amazing people. Our teachers do not make our town... we do. We built this school district, they didnt. We can do it again. In a reasonable, realistic, sustainable manner. Stay Strong Strongsville!

Home schooling by teachers..here's a funny (funny tragic, not funny chuckle). Thought I heard a noise looking for copy paper, it was a voice coming over a pair of headphones. My son (in school right now) left his online game running and one of his classmates, child of a teacher, is chatting away playing. Teachers are concerned about the children in the schools. But teachers leaving kids at home have them in front of the game consoles. Figures. GO SEA!

Attention Teachers (hiding as kids on Patch):
Everyone is replaceable don't think that the schools cannot run without you.
I learned many years ago that making a change in people it only stalls the process temporarily..
There are hundreds and thousands of qualified hungry teachers willing to take your job at less pay.

Is that truly what you want for your community? I knew this town has been anti-teacher for a long time, but do you really honestly feel happy that the strike is continuing? You all seem way to happy about this, it is truly sad.

The REAL (Teacher) Lyn Shady:
Anti-teacher is not what Strongsville is, we are highly motivated hard working tax payers.
We have had enough of union propaganda and bullying tactics.
Overpaid, with free benefits and work 9 months of the year has to stop.
Now back to the picket line Lynn.

Anti-teacher? So now we have gone from the catch-phrase "teacher-bashing" to "anti-teacher". This community is happy to see a BOE who actually is accomplishing what needs to be accomplished for the entire City - not just one group of people. A group that is ironically only made up of 40% Strongsville residents. This is not hard to understand and you have been told by a number of individuals the exact same thing. What don't you understand?

what teacher crossed the line? I told my freshman and he was asking who it was.

I can predict the next line... Now that we have saved so much money, they will be hitting us up for that. Why is it that anything we dont agree to makes us anti teacher? We are saying "NO" SEA. That is it, plain and simple. NO!

Have to laugh...just passed Center ..about 7 strikers...and the Highschool (Pearl Rd) about 10. They weren't even holding their signs anymore..and at Center, they weren't even walking in a group.
Oh...did the weather keep you all away???

I think they have had it with the whole business....the picketing, the union doing nothing for them...I know I would. Cross the line, cross the line....DO IT!
LOL@Magic 8 Ball posts

It should begin any moment. Not sure I want them all back. This union is BROKEN!

Good for whoever that teacher was. She should be welcomed back by our community for doing this and let others know that we are willing to forgive if you make the conscious choice of coming back to work. I feel zero mercy should be shown to those who attempt to ride this out to the end, no matter what they "really feel" about being on strike. Doing what is right is not always easy, but as I said, when money stops flowing and reality starts setting into the personal bank accounts, peoples priorities tend to find a way to suddenly become organized. Of course the SEA is going to try to pull out all the stops immediately and force the BOE to cave, because they know as soon as the teachers stop getting their paychecks, the mindless chants of talking about how much more they deserve turn to internal thoughts of "hey, we actually have it pretty freaking good" and "why am I standing out in the icy rain right now." They are losing their base one by one. This is what happens when your entire fight is based on propaganda, as soon as it is exposed to the masses, you lose.

Thanks for coming back! How ya liking them big boy pants, Trace? Keep up the great work, BOE!!

The striking ex-teachers think that they have community support, they do not !!! what the teachers have is that every parent with a student in the school system, is lying right to their faces and only pretending to support them, for fear of reprisals from the teachers IF they come back.

So teachers you need to think about that !!! we tell you we are with you out of FEAR, and we turn right around and call or write our principal/superintendent and beg them not to re-hire you

I am sorry I caused the strike, it is my fault. I did not care when the BOE continued to see great decreases in funding from the state of Ohio. I did not care when the teachers made major concessions when accpeting their last contract. I voted for school board members who would not work with their employees. I did not care that many of the excellent teachers would become so angry that their actions would cause a lack of respect by both parents and children. I did not care that property values would decrease. I have not cared that Strongsville has been steadily falling from the ranks of other highly respected suburbs like Hudson, Westlake, Bay Village, Beachwood, Rocky River, etc.. Unlike citzens of those communities who pass levys and elect board members who work with and represent their Teachers, Parents and Community, I chose to be short sighted. I voted against school levys so I could keep a few more dollars in my pocket. Unfortunately, I did not realize how much money I would lose in the long run by lower property values and living in a community with far less respect. I am sorry that I caused all of this to happen.

SO move to one of them and spare us your dribble.

Jean Williams, although I agree with you that many parents follow that mentality, I am sorry but in that instance they are part of the problem instead of part of the solution. Such parents are sheep, the same as the the sheep that these same parents are accusing the teachers of being who disagree with the strike yet sheepishly go along with their union. I like how parents now say the buck stops here, and they will now voice their issues about teachers to the administration when things go array (since the strike.) My prediction? That will last matter of months, if at all, for the very reasons you state.

Parents that have remained quiet all along have fed the monster and created these egos that think they are irreplaceable. Additionally, how can the administration know they have an issue with a teacher that needs to be addressed unless it is brought to their attention? If there is a serious pattern of a problem that is continually not corrected, can't they not renew the contract? If there are signs of retaliation, wouldn't that be yet another reason to be back in administration's office about the teacher? Shame on any Strongsville parents for selling their kids' education out for politics. How will you ever get rid of the bad apples that way?

I'm sorry Steve caused this strike. I'm sorry he makes 85,000 a year and it's not enough. I'm sorry he is among the highest paid teachers in Ohio and it's not enough. I'm sorry that he teaches in one of the nicest suburbs in Northeast Ohio with some of the best parents and students anywhere and it's not enough. I'm sorry that he keeps talking about his working conditions being so awful. I'm sorry that he is so insecure about the subs that he and his fellow teachers have to criticize them and intimidate them every day. I'm sorry Steve follows a leader who holds ridiculous publicity stunts daily, and doesn't realize her support erodes further with each one. I'm sorry Steve doesn't have to courage to accept a very fair contract and go back to work. I'm sorry steve is using the children as pawns. I'm sorry Steve caused all of this to happen.

Kim L you are correct. Westlake taechers have agreed to same types of consessions in their most recent contract as Strongsville teachers did in their last contract. Difference being, watch Westlake pass their levy being placed on the ballot in May. Westlake teachers stepped up to the plate and did their part. I am guessing the Westlake residence will now step up and do their part.

Hypothetically speaking, if I were to offer 10k to the next 3 teachers who crossed, exactly how fast do you think some of those folks in their velcro shoes and Disney Sweatshirts could run across that line? You ever see 5'9, 230lbs run a 4.5 40 yard dash? I imagine the "working conditions" concerns would disappear.

Frazee's Brain - whoever you are - you posted all day, and not one of your jokes was funny.

SvilleRes, I think you have it wrong, the parents are not sheep, it is the teachers. The parents have only showed nothinhg but class along with the board.Teachers if you think that all the criminal acts you have been commiting will go unpunished, YOU ARE WISELY MISTAKEN. it has been all documented and recorded. .Many tapes out there about to come to light.

Greg,

That is encouraging to hear. Fear of retribution (in the class) is a legitimate concern for parents, and I agree with you that the parents have not been sheep. I literally don't know one supporter of the sea who isn't a Strongsville teacher (or someone who has a family member who is one). I do know teachers in several other districts who think the SEA is a joke. Their words, not mine.

Let the evidence and videos fly. The bad actors should not be around kids...period. And any teacher who supports their "bad actor" friends once this is resolved, should be gone too.

And Kim L...more than 1 percent of the teachers are the problem. They agreed to walk out. If someone tells me to slam my head into a wall 100 times, and I do it, much of the fault lies with me for doing something stupid. Also, about 100 teachers showed up to the Gauntlet on the subs. Those teachers are a problem.

Fire the teachers.

Greg Pappo, I am completely on the side of the BOE and agree that the teachers have been the sheep. My point was to say that, if you do not stand firm with your position and stand up to a bad teacher before, during or after the strike for fear of retribution, then you are no different than the teachers who blindly follow their union, also out of fear of retribution. It would be hypocritical to judge them for the very same behavior of that very same individual/parent.

And, as it relates to protecting our children, we agree to disagree. Such an attitude leaves the bad teachers in place at the potential sacrafice of our children. My parents never let a teacher get away with anything, and the squeaky wheel got the grease. I take the same approach with my children and have never seen "retribution" against them.

Understand though, that doesn't mean being at the school complaining about every bad grade. It means being able to apply logic and only complaining when there really truly is a legitimate problem, and otherwise supporting and backing the teacher at all times and applying accountability to my child. Otherwise, the parent loses all credibility with the school and teacher. I think this goes to some other posts here, that the teachers have "woken the sleeping giant" and parents are proclaiming that they will no longer let things slide. I hope that holds true, as that is the only way you can ensure getting rid of the bad apples. But, when I see posts like Kim's, indicating being fake to the teachers out of fear of retribution, I grow concerned that parents will be sheep again. Keep in mind, the bad teachers count on that exact thing out of parents, and this too IS a form of bullying. The playground bully also counts on intimidating the kid not to tell!

The best example I can think of is the teachers texting students. I suspect perhaps some high school coaches have in the past texted their athletes with information. Perhaps not, as this is just a guess. As a parent, to me this is a serious red flag and should never be allowed, EVER, under any circumstance, and I would have definitely brought it to the school's attention. This puts the school on notice. Why?

Because, if a teacher engages in inappropriate relations with a child, many times that results in texts as well. So, now I have the school on notice. If they do nothing about it, and heaven forbid something happens to one of our community's children involving an inappropriate relationship with one of our teachers, the school had notice about my concerns that this was a violation that crossed the line and this helps the poor family facing that dilemma in a law suit. We all have to look out for each other, as part of a neighborhood watch program.

In light of the above example, if the school board was wise, they would ensure that the next contract included a zero tolerance policy for any electronic or telephonic communications between teacher and student, with such action being an immediate fireable offense. No shade of gray. Any such communcations should go through the parent. I'm sure their liability carrier would be happy. And, the teachers should want this as it protects them too. Why any teacher would set themselves up like that is beyond me. Keep the lines of teacher/student relationship perfectly clear at all times! Strike or no strike.

As an aside, a quick google search suggests that no textinf policies and such are specifically being put into place in othe states, because of predator teachers using this as a tool. I'm sure he BOE advisors are more knowledgable about this, but if they were wise, they would get the language in there after the antics of the SEA/OEA and more spefically some Strongsville teachers before and during this strike (I firmly believe the teachers got the "play" at the direction of the higher up union reps out od the union play book.)

you people dont have a clue former superintendet Jeffrey lambert was the 3rd hightest paid superintendet in the state fact pd . june 20 2010 strongsville was paying him $130,000 the was a two time double dipper from his retirement 100,000 plus what strongsville paid him do the math/?

what about ? health and safety person got a $18.000 raise in 2010 to $64.000