The parents need to hold on to those letters that the teachers sent home SIGNED by the teachers.... at some time in the near future the board might be looking for them ...to be used as termination letters for sending non-approved school wide letters home

More like the teachers were out in the parking lot protesting and your brave negotiating team huddled in the building, afraid to face up to their actions.

I suggest that as soon as the Teachers CHOOSE NOT to go to work, aka Strike, that they begin checking the newspapers/job-sites trying to find similar jobs which are non-governmental, aka "PUBLIC sector" ones, that pay as well ($80K/year salary + $8K/year in FULL benefits = Total Comp) as the one that they are choosing to walk away from which are financed by taxpayers who have been downsized, or had their jobs shipped overseas, etc.) If they so this they will understand the NEED to live within the constraints of the current ecomomic reality in the United States. Furthermore, I suggest that Strongsville hire the subs permanently at fair, reasonable, and affordable wages, while providing them with matching 401Ks vs bloated pension benefits. As well, we should do away with the unnecessary union, and now we will be able to fire the ones who prove themselves to be incompetant.

Mike-
And, find the same time off on that new job - 3.5 months.
Otherwise, if they have to work more, they will need to DEMAND more money.

Wouldn't such letters be a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act or some other legislation? I don't believe students' home addresses can be used for the unions political purposes.

It is about the kids when you try to negotiate in good faith with your BOE to get incentives in place to get good teachers to come work in your district. The Board, in one version of their contract, offered the teachers a lifetime pay freeze.

How many of you would take a job where at the conclusion of the interview they said, "Oh, and the salary we're hiring you at? Yeah, that's your salary for life."

The employees have a right to know what the bargaining team is being offered and what the terms of the contract they're being asked to sign is.

The members of SEA have to know the contents of the contract to ratify it. Union members only (not the fair share group) should normally see the contract after there is a tenative agreement between the board and the negotiation team from the union. They (the members) do not generally see it before a tenative agreement as the officers of the union are the official bargaining agent of the union.

Yes, from my limited knowledge with how union negotiations proceed, it was my understanding that ONLY those "at the table" only had access to the proposals and it was considered a violation for others to see it until a vote is taken.

lyn, I couldn't have put it better than you did just now:

"from my limited knowledge with how union negotiations proceed"

NAILED IT.

Therefore, the answer to your question is no. It is not a violation for the members of the union to know what the unit will be asking for.

I wonder if that's the same teacher that told his class that he was reprimanded for discussing the strike with his classes. He was apparently kicked off the school website, issued a letter of reprimand and may lose access to his school email...and this is one of the bad teachers that doesn't teach and when he tries - he doesn't do it well.

Maybe that was the teacher who was posting on here, the Patch, all afternoon one day and then deleted all the comments. And then came back on with details in the contract and then deleted that comment too.

So basically what you're saying is that there are good teachers and bad teachers everywhere, just like in every other profession, so you shouldn't hold the entire staff accountable for the actions of one person?

union thug mentality....and even worse, using the students like that! How low can they go?

Yep - here too!

What was the teacher's name?

Absences will be counted and grades will be given by the substitutes. Unfortunately, some teachers told the students that they will be deleting those grades when they return. The principal of the high school said he was going to call me and I hope he does because I want to make sure to relay this information to him.

Myron-I think you should post that audio recording here. My nephew had the exact statements made to him in classes as you & Frank stated & I doubt they all coincidentally have the same teacher. Those particular teachers should face serious reprimand,& consequences,if not removal from their position. It is not for them to give kids erroneous information & encourage students to behave badly & defy school rules.THAT'S THE EXAMPLE they want to set? And then they want to be called & treated as "professionals" & command (demand) higher pay & benefits? Way to go MATURE "professionals", TEACHING kids that behaving badly is the way to go. There are so many teachers that are sad & upset about all this & how it's effecting their students & then you have these horses @sses making the rest look bad. It is my hope that they are all fired,that we find out who the teachers are making these comments & when the union is broken,we only hire back those who are actually interested in teaching & the best interests of students-and not those who made these comments or tried to induce panic.I am actually curious as to why those teachers wouldn't be "eligible"(with proof&witnesses)to be arrested &charged w/inducing panic & making false statements. So everyone-bring on the names of the teachers who did this & the proof,like Myron's audio. These particular teachers can then be given the" benefit" of a court appearance, & permanently terminated from their jobs w/a police record. Shame on them!

Seeing as how Huffmaster, the company providing the replacement teachers has a history of hiring people with criminal records to staff schools, I think telling your students to be careful around them is probably a fair warning.

At this point I see most of these teachers as criminals. The ones at the forefront of all of the disgusting behavior should be charged with initimidation! Period!

Tisk, tisk Facts. That story was from 2006 when background checks were not the law like they are today. The law changed about 2008 or so. Find an article from post 2009 before making a statement like that.

Though I can't immagine that many "qualified" teachers will want to cross a picket line - I wouldn't be surprise it could be interesting come Monday. I can't believe the superintendent would allow criminals in the schools.

If the teachers are so worried about the kids then settle the contract. That or cross their own picket line "for the kids". I've seen nor heard anything that is so unreasonable in what the community wants the board to do. Such as: get rid of the pick up; create a reasonable salary schedule for the market; create a merit based pay system - which would include getting rid of voluntary stipends and making that part of the merit system; and reasonable insurance policy and premiums for teachers $150 a month is a drain on the system.

This should save the tax payers and the board enough to have money to fix schools, buy books, pay for professional development and pay the other employees for years to come. the board needs to save any excess to make it last long as possible. Normal business finance.

How can anyone respect these people anymore and how can they be trusted with the welfare of children when they don't know how to conduct themselves? I say kudos to the few teachers who have claimed they are not striking...although I feel bad for the wrath they will endure from the other selfish teachers.

Yes - start posting those teacher tweets on here, please.

Yeah, god forbid teachers ever ask for limits on class sizes, numbers of classes they're teaching, raises, or anything whatsoever. They should suck it up and take whatever the Board and such magnanimous people like you feel fit to dole out to them! They should be your personal slaves, Myron.

Great logic. All or nothing is the only option right? Question, if what you think the teachers are asking for is so minute, why aren't you pressuring your union leadership to show your side of the proposal? You obviously can see from this and other boards that we as the paying public want to see it, so you would instantly be able to shut all of us up if the SEA's proposal is as "fair" of a deal as you and so many other teachers are claiming. Are you scared to speak your own opinion with your fellow union members? My guess is yes...or you are probably just smart enough to know that if you were to show the public your side of the "deal"...you would lose any strand of credibility you may still have left. Stop wasting people's time. Deal in reality. If you want us to feel sympathy for you, let's see what your putting out there on your proposal, otherwise, pipe down and go back to the kids table.

Myron, there are laws regarding when and how a proposal can be released. The BOE is playing you for a sucker by puffing up a load of talk about "why won't the SEA release their proposal publicly." And you're falling for it.

You haven't seen any of the BOE's previous proposals, so anything they show you now has been carefully looked at so as not to offend the community (like they recently decided to put back in where they had stripped out art, music, and other classes from the elementary levels or where they asked teachers to take a lifetime pay freeze).

Hey, idiot, and how many times has your proposal been changed? So, now your most recent would look better. Each side always asks for more than what they know they are going to get - its part of the process - idiot!!!
I'd like to see your first proposal - lets see that one too - the one that I'm sure demanded more than your most recent.
In every negotiation process, both start coming to a middle, so both will start looking similar.

SO, why not show your most recent polished version also - or are you trying to clean it up first?

OMG will you stop with the "lifetime pay freeze" garbage. So you are literally arguing that the school board would tell a 24 year old teacher making $35K a year that she will never get another raise again for the rest of her career, no matter how hard she works or how well her students perform. She will be 55 and still at $35K? Uh-huh. Also, unless you are signing a "lifetime" contract with the BOE (which we all would laugh at your absurdity if you said "yes, we are"), how the hell can you say that a "lifetime pay freeze" would ever even be implemented? It's only good through the length of the contract anyway. Nice propaganda though. Anything else you want to add about child molesters, criminals...hey, maybe you'd like to jump on the hood of our cars or stand outside our homes later?

lyn, I fail to see why you need to resort to name calling. It seems like ad hominem attacks are a great way to advance the dialogue.

Once again, there are legal processes that have to be followed in any strike and some of the laws and regulations are about when and how a proposal can be released to the public. I didn't write the laws and neither did the SEA.

Why don't you ask your beloved BOE for early proposal drafts and see if they will let you have them?

What none of you seem to understand is that when a contract is signed, that contract becomes the starting point for the next contract negotiation. The BOE 100% did put forth a lifetime pay freeze proposal, either to be deliberately insulting (in which case, slow golf clap for their professionalism) or to try to lock into place that for the next round of negotiation.

Every time you come back to the bargaining table, it's not a tabula rasa situation. Every time the negotiations start with your last contract and work from there.

I'm sorry you have such a hard time comprehending these things, but maybe if you might consider not commenting on something you have little information on.

I don't have to ask the BOE to see it - I only have to ask that "THING" Tracy that is refusing to do the same.
You know they can IF BOTH SIDES AGREE - there will be no violation. So show it!

@TheFacts - and I suppose you condone the horrible behavior of the teachers to the students?!?! You sound like a teacher. The economy DOES NOT warrant smaller class sizes period! My daughter had 30 kids in her kindergarten class (in another district) and it was her BEST year. Why? Beacause it was a GOOD teacher! Good teachers are a dying bread and the things they have said to these is awful. They should be fired and I know for a fact that several of them have been reprimanded. There is no more to give to these people...and after their shoddy behavior, I think hell may freeze over before another levy is passed.

How about if we dispense with the name calling. It makes everyone look bad.

Personally I don't think that a contract should be released to the public. The public is not a party to the conract. Yes, Lyn .... I can hear your thoughts you view yourself as an employer when in reality you are a customer. A customer who does not have the ability to shop elsewhere due to the law requiring suport of public education. Though the the customer (public) refusal to grant more money the board (the employer) cannot negotiate any more increases. This the the only power the pubic has in the matter. We don't need to lower ourselves to name calling. Let the process do it's work. The public customer has said no more. Until the employees pay their own retirement; higher portion of their insurance like the rest of us there will never be any more new levy money.

I don't believe there is any way the board can offer anything to help the union in their quest for "better working conditions," in the way of smaller class size or more planning time or pay raises. Unfortunately it is ODE that decides whether elementary children need Pe , Art and music. They can reduce those only to state minimums anyway. A permanent freeze would only last as long as the contract does and then would be open to renegotation anyway. Nothing is lifetime in a contract with an expiration date. I see nothing unreasonable in the boards proposal that we have discussed.

send copies to the superintendant he can use them as termination letters for sending districtwide non-approved letters home

"Thing" once again-

" trying to balance their books on the backs of their staff."

When about 90% of the operating expenses are for teacher costs, that IS where you go to balance the budget. DUH!!

"Thing" -

"They have begun work to implement contingency plans..."

Once the teachers gave a strike notice, the Board was left with no alternative but to take necessary steps to ensure the schools still function if a strike occurs.

I have learned a lot from reading all of these comments from the many stories here on the patch. It is very obvious that the SEA is trying every union tactic possible to gain some leverage. Everyone here need to make sure the Board knows how you feel so they don't "Forgive" this deplorable behavior when they negotiate a settlement. So many things make you want to go "Really?, the teachers said that and expect us to believe it?" We have got to tell the Board to dig their heels in even deeper and wait out these teachers until they take what this community is willing to give or to get out. Replace them ALL with teachers who will appreciate the job.

Lyn, when you say that "90% of operating expenses are for teacher costs" you're stating something that you could say about any business of any kind. Salary and benefits are the single biggest expenditure anywhere. So essentially you're saying nothing at all.

The Facts-
Exactly!!
And that is why since 2007,2008 the private sector has had to deal with job loss, pay cuts, pay freezes, hours cut, furlough days, changes from full time to part time status, increased employee contributions to benefits, lost benefits, reduced pensions due to bankruptcy (the government does not guarantee the full amount a person would have gotten),....
My point exactly - you agree with me. And the teachers need to realize that the only way to make ends meet is they also need to make necessary adjustments.

And the teachers have made concessions every single year in their contract negotiations. They have picked up more healthcare costs, they have taken on additional duties that were supposed to result in staff layoffs in non-teacher positions (which the BOE failed to cut, but they kept the teachers working these extra duties), they have had pay freezes, they have had class sizes increased. This last one is a key thing. If you are given 35 new students, but spread out over your five classes, you effectively have six classes.

So the teachers have taken on additional work, have agreed to pay freezes, have paid more for healthcare. Now you tell me that they're not doing exactly the same thing you're doing.

The truth of the matter is that the BOE has asked for ridiculous levels of concessions and sooner or later you have to say no.

Hey
The Fact-
Did you forget to switch over to Gary when you wrote that?
Idiot!!

I wonder how long I would have lasted in my job if I complained about covering other duties when times were tough and everybody had pitch in and do a little more.

Poor overworked baby. You wanted other people fired, and you didn't want to do the work.

lyn,

I don't at or for Strongsville in any way. It was the Board's proposal that the teachers take on additional duties and they could help the district save money because then the district would let go of staff that were doing those duties.

Then the Board reneged on that getting a cost savings of NOTHING. If your BOE is so incompetent, I don't know why you support them.

WOW Facts WOW. I didn't know...."They have picked up more healthcare costs, they have taken on additional duties that were supposed to result in staff layoffs in non-teacher positions (which the BOE failed to cut, but they kept the teachers working these extra duties), " .........How can you negotiate away the rights of another bargaining unit? This is a ULP on the part of that unit. You can only bargain for yourselves. Nice. Bargain away the jobs of those that make less than you -- no savings there anyway. And you all thought they would just lay over and not negotiate their own protections?

What higher healthcare costs? $150 a month on a gold standard policy? That is nothing today. Most people pay $400 or more for their basic policy with high deductibles. Do you pay the full premium during the months you do not work? You should or have COBRA.

"they have had pay freezes," What pay freeze? It would only be for those no on the pay steps. Your contract is online and the salary schedule is in the book. Nice pay steps every year and very nice upgrades when education levels increase. Most people don't get automatic raises.

"they have had class sizes increased. This last one is a key thing. If you are given 35 new students, but spread out over your five classes, you effectively have six classes" No you have 5 big classes. Six big classes would eliminate teachers at $100,000 each to balance the budget.

Elsie, that utter and complete dismantling of The Facts was the best thing ive seen on this board yet.....and all done w facts. Very well said.

Tell me exactly what you think these unreasonable demands are, lyn. Since you have so much inside information, what are the teachers asking for that is unreasonable? The Board asked them, in one proposal, to take a lifetime pay freeze. Would you agree to work anywhere that codified it in your contract that you would never get a raise for the rest of your employment?

I think that's pretty unreasonable.

lifetime pay freeze???- No such exact wording
No one believes that a teacher that is getting paid $40,000/year will be expected to be paid only $40,000 for the next 30 years+. You can twist whatever words you want - base, step,...

And, it is still only a 2-4 year contract, so it can only cover the life of the contract. Just like anything that was in any previous contracts can be changed.

A lifetime payfreeze was exactly what the BOE put forth in recent negotiations. That's 100% true.

LIAR-
Lifetime freeze was the wording, not payfreeze. That had to do with that play on words you guys do when you "hide" your increases. And it didn't prevent people from getting more money because of all those crazy bumps you guys get. It is just you guys playing around with words.
And, you can't have a short term contract covering 30+ years.
Like I said, I'm done with you.

Truly! I'm going to our school on Monday and telling our teachers how grateful I
I am for their service!

Absolutely right, Sue. It has all become about politics and the unions. If I could afford to send my son to private school I would. My oldest is a senior; great way to end you senior year!!!! Pay should be based on merit and the costs of living increases that we all have to deal with.

And that is the result of a teacher who should be fired!!!

Were you there, Jason? Do you know what the teachers were trained in? The teachers have negotiated in good faith only to have the board issue one absurd proposal after another. Even federal mediators couldn't get the board to budge, so if anyone is acting childish it is your elected BOE. You want adults in there, not the petulant social climbers who only see this term as a springboard to being on city council.

@TheFacts - and how do you think you even know this?

Agreed!

They better not be standing there with any Starbucks coffee cups. They don't get paid enough for such luxuries. One of those is e cost of a meal!

Tad Taderson, simply put, you know nothing of how these contract negotiations work so your argument is invalid. Every time a contract is negotiated, that contract becomes the starting point for the next contract negotiation. It really is as simple as that.

Let's just add one point here:

If there's no mechanism to ever enforce a lifetime pay freeze
But the BOE puts forth a proposal of lifetime payfreezes, then what you have right there is a perfectly clearcut example of negotiating in bad faith.

If there's no way they could ever negotiate such a thing, as you say because contracts are for a limited time only, then why even propose such a thing?

You might say, oh everyone comes to the table with more than they'd ever hope to get and then we negotiate to a middle point.

But if it is something that could never be obtainable ever (according to you, never mind that two contract cycles back to back with a payfreeze essentially establishes a new norm), then isn't it's very proposition bargaining in bad faith?

What would you say if the teachers came with a proposal that said, "And all teachers shall be provided with gold plated Cadillacs to chauffeur them to and from work"?

You'd say that was a ridiculous proposal. You'd call it bargaining in bad faith.

Yes, it is the starting point. The point from which it can be increased, decreased, expanded or eliminated. Therefore it can change. Nothing in a contract with an expriation is ever eternal. The terms are all negotiatable.

No we don't negotiate to a middle point all the time. Some points can go more one way than another with the trades that take place.

I think that I know what you are trying to say regarding bad faith - and I don't agree. Bad faith is presenting something false to gain shock to get something else; or negotiating a lie. If they are trying to negotiate a lifetime pay freeze they are not negotiating in bad faith if what they hope to achieve is a control on costs that has to be renegotiated in order to change. This gives them control over costs (salary increases tied to cost) long term. This is not bad faith.

You can know that you can try to get it changed in future negotiations and if the economy improves then that may be possible. But if they do not put this in place then they will be facing failing levys for years to come.

What the union is afraid of is this language would put the power in the boards court. Just like a one year announcement of lay off for tenured teachers puts the ball in the teachers court. It is disabling to the effective management of the system; and permantent until renegotiated. Just like all the other language in the contract.

Elise,

Well put...clearly someone who was worked/negotiated a contract. But you are forgetting one point, The Facts is asking us to believe him based on his/her intimate knowledge of the T&C's contained within. Never mind the fact he/she refuses to answer my question about which is side is keeping the proposals from the publics view.

It's hard to debate a spoon, which is what I feel is taking place when speaking with "the facts".

Yes Tad, I have been involved with labor issues and contracts over my life. While teacher contracts are their own entity there are similarities between all of them. One of those issues is the public cannot be a party to the negotiation between an employer and employee. Even if you are a tax payer (property owner) your role is really as a customer of the educational service the district provides. We as tax payers are required by law to support public education. I don't agree with the way Ohio is funded but we can't solve that here. The only thing we can do is refuse to "buy" more services in the way of refusing to increase the taxes for education. I believe they have enough money to fund a quality educational program for Strongsville children. Overall they do a great job in my opinion. But....and it is a big but....there is overcompensation here based on current economic conditions that they are becoming "entitled". The union needs to "get it."

I don't think we need to see their proposals - it is not our place. The public has said very loudly and clearly - we don't want to pay their retirement, we want them to pay a reasonable amount for their excellent insurance and we want a merit based salary system that weeds out the underperformers. In my opinion is this not so much to ask. How they work out these three things is up to them. Just don't come to me with their hand out for a levy unless these three things are renegotiated to affordable levels.

Elsie, We'll have to agree to disagree pn that point. The tax paying public, who is the funding mechanism, and while represented by the Board, is left to "guess" about who is being honest in their commentary about the respective proposals.

I believe both sides have to agree to make the proposals public. For weeks, the SEA kept saying "We want this to go to the public...wait till they get a load of this! This is so unfair!". The board called their bluff and we haven't heard a peep about why the SEA pulled this position.

At this point, transparency is critical. Pressure should not be placed on the board to give an inch, if said pressure is the result of flat out lies being spread by SEA members/supporters - like "Your kid is going to be taught art class by ghengis khan, and I heard pol pot is teaching history."

The moment they filed notice for strike, and the impact that has on the community, I believe the public deserves full visibility. Just my opinion though.

I understand Tad. I agree to disagree.

I dont' remember SEA stating they wanted to go public but they could have. So much has been manipulated by them to pull on emotions - this is just a union tatic and generally a bad faith one. If they showed both proposals and all the steps or even just the latest versions what good would it do? We have no say in the process. Why would one residents opinion hold any more weight than another. For me I just want to read the end product. If I feel I can support it then when they come to levy time (and it has to come someday) I will show my support at the ballot box or not.

I am all for transparency on how money is spent. I like that I can look up information and decide whether I want to support something but I don't need to tell the board how to do their job. I elected them to do this and they have more information that I do. And I completely agree with you on the lies and threats are a big issue with credibility with the union. Some of what I read makes me glad that I no longer have children in school and I feel sorry for those who do. The kids do not need to be involved at all - nothing should have been said to them nor a letter written to their parents. That was rediculous; a plain and obvious scare tactic that should be ignored.

Aptly stated Myron-take all the emotion out of it & this IS the way it is. Scary thing is what's happening here w/this situation in Strongsville is only a small slice of what's to come on a much larger scale in the U.S. in general. The results-angry,over the top angry, taxpayers. I have heard rumbling of a civil war in some circuits & it would not surprise me in the least given the current administration's penchance for a socialist dictatorship. Truthfully,I can see it coming & it scare's the hell out of me. May God have mercy on us all.

who decides the merit and how, myron? You, who come on this board and show nothing but contempt for teachers? Would it be based solely on student grades? Because if I were a teacher I'd be angling as hard as I could for an AP or Honors class and not Basic. Would teachers be assessed by principals? By some out of the district agency? By federal standards? Who makes the decisions and who decides if that's fair?

Salaries will always be the biggest issue for any company or organization. There's no way around that.

Unfortunately Bev, when you remove something from someone that they were getting for free and should have never had in the first place, it instantaneously becomes an "emotional" war filled with stories, testimonials, tugs at the heart strings, etc. And this is because there is no evidence to support their claim that what they seek to hold onto is rightfully "theirs" to keep. Just because a former president enacted a ridiculous program that now is bankrupting the country, does that mean the current president doesn't fix it and just keeps it going, but refers to the previous administration as the genesis of the program..as if that's a reason to not fix the problem? That is absolutely insane and it is exactly what "the facts" is arguing....that "the BOE" instituted the taxpayer funded pension/healthcare premium. SO WHAT???? Is it sustainable? NO Is it eating up the entire school budget and bankrupting the district? YES. SO FIX IT when you do your negotiations. Isn't that what the negotiations are for...to FIX PROBLEMS and deal in reality? Why is this so hard for people to understand?

As I said Bev, emotional arguments. "contempt for teachers." It's called reality. "The Facts"...you literally have been getting your @ss handed to you the entire time you've been on this board. Why argue "merit based" pay system when the teachers would never go for it, no matter what the suggestion. And I know that you are not a business owner or job creator because they would never say anything as ridiculous as you just stated. Any business whose operational budget is nearly 100% consumed by employee compensation is going under...fast. Case in point...Strongsville City Schools.

Who should decide merit and how? The administration. My family works in the private arena, all of us get raises based on a merit system. Sometimes it is better than others, when we get a low percent in a good financial year we learn to work harder and improve our skills and outcomes. We do get raises unless there is an economic downturn and then we take cuts to keep our jobs. It is how it works. I believe the Dept of Ed and the legislature are working on a merit based system for teachers. That compensation system is what you should be negotiating. Not trying to hang on to something unsustainable and outdated. I realize it is hard to change once you have had something good for a long time, but intelligence is knowing when to move on. Read Who Moved my Cheeze (something like that). The union is Hem, stuck with their head in the sand refusing to change. Change has come whether you like it or not - the union needs to be part of the solution to the district's budget problems. Instead of fighting what you are losing; look to what you can change to make it the best on yourselves and the students. Proving the best service to students is what education is all about. If we are an "excellent" system then that is what we do as "excellent" teachers.

It's amazing to me how consistent Myron, lyn, and Tad are in having to insult someone when they make an argument.

I'm glad you guys feel so passionate about your argument and are so convinced of the rightness of your cause that the only way you feel you can make your points stick is by name-calling.

And you seem to have missed my point, Tad. If the BOE proposes a lifetime payfreeze, they are negotiating in bad faith by asking for something that a single contract renewal can't deliver on. They are simply looking to bully the other side.

So you can see where the hostile negotiation atmosphere is originating from.

NOTThe facts -
If I use a word, its because i think its applicable. And that's a fact! IDIOT!!

Of course they could never ask the district to raise any property taxes ever. That would hurt their chances of getting re-elected and then hurt their chances of going on to be on city council. Better to bash teachers, try to break the teacher's union, push the district into crisis after crisis than ever dare even whisper that maybe, just maybe, the district needs more revenue.

You're right...the best and only solution to any problem is to throw more money at it. Ever notice that no matter how much money is given to the schools, the argument is that they still need more? It truly never fails. We need more money! How much? I don't know, just more. Flash fwd 2 yrs. we need more money again! How much? Not sure, but we need more. It's funny, bc regular folks learn to make the necessary adjustments to survive in their own financial realities all the time w/out acquiring more "revenues" from others. So why is it that the schools never are able to do the same? Maybe...just maybe...a bit of a structural problem w/in the system itself?

Big Daddy, I'd also encourage you to go to the Huffmaster website:

https://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH11/ats/careers/apply.jsp?org=HUFFMASTERS&cws=39

And see how laughably easy the application process to be a replacement teacher is.

I've honestly filled out far more stringent job applications when I applied at McDonalds in 1987.

I've not only designed but also filled out job application systems online for a variety of organizations over the years, and I can tell you that if a system is designed to kick you out of the job pool for not meeting the requirements, it does so immediately.

Take a stab at this form. See how easy it is to get into Huffmaster's pool of "talent."

You are NOT required to provide:

Education
Licenses or Certifications
Conviction History
Resume

Interesting, huh? And that is specifically the form you click on when you go to fill a position as a teacher at Strongsville City Schools.

The Strongsville teachers do have your childrens' best interests at heart when they try to limit how many students are crammed into a classroom, how many classes a teacher is required to teacher per day, and what kind of staff the salaries are attracting.

The Strongsville teachers do have your childrens' best interests at heart when they alert the community to the company the board has chosen to partner with to provide alternative staffing.

The teachers do have your interests at heart when they seek to make SSD a great place to work.

However, Big Daddy, the BOE, which intends to only provide teachers for core classes (English, math, science, social studies) and then to warehouse the kids in large group study halls, clearly does not have your students' interests in mind.

"We will be able to start teaching on March 4 with a qualified teaching team, that will ensure that English, mathematics, social studies and science are handled effectively from the start."

That's taken directly from the Board's website. Notice how they don't address anything outside of the core?

So, lets see if I got this.
You are concerned about only core classes being taught to the kids.
So, give the teachers what they want, no money, make cuts somewhere, so only place left is regarding the kids. Guess they'll have to cut back on classes now and just teach core classes.
WOW!!!

Amen to that, Big Daddy.

They must not be that bad if all of you keep going back 7 years to find something.

If they told middle schoolers that their sub could be a sex offender, fire them. If,they sent home a letter unauthorized by the Administration, fire them. If they read that letter (which instructs the parents how to be a parent)...do not pass go, do not collect $80,000 in salary plus cushy benefits...FIRE THEM!!!

*read that letter to the class*

Be careful Richard, Tad likes to dine and dash.

You'd have to wonder how much of a joke these teachers are to other districts throughout the state and county if they go on strike, knowing that they rank as one of the highest paid districts already when you figure in that 10%. And in the past couple of years how many out of the 619 Ohio districts went on strike - 1, 2 3? I wouldn't think they'd get much sympathy.

I posted this once already. The union brags about being ranked 83rd like this is a selling point. It is actually a mark of "needs improvement" in our area in my opinion. A quick google search will pull up this ranking for you. Strongsville is in the 90th percentile in the state, so 1/10 schools are above it. But, more importantly, many in the greater Cleveland area are ranked hire than it, even considerably so (only public schools by the way): Chagrin Falls, Solon, Hudson, Aurora, Bay, Avon, Avon Lake, Westlake, Orange, Twinsburg, Rocky River, Brecksville/Broadview Heights, Beachwood, Medina, Olmsted Falls, Independence, Wooster, and West Geauga are all ranked above it. Chardon is right below it so you can call that me a wash too.

*higher*

Amen to that! Get it on the next ballot, ASAP!! If it's true that the local union isn't getting much support, that would be why. I said this in one of my first posts.....in THIS economy, at THIS time, in THIS political climate, this strike is an EPIC FAIL!!!! Their local leadership has failed them and should be ousted ASAP! A middle schooler could have told them that! I think that is why you see the unprofessional antics too....l.it'S out of THEIR paid and fear.

*panic, not paid...auto-correct strikes again*

I think it would only go to ballot if the bill is challenged - as in, we voted on Issue 2 which did away with SB5.
But, a new revised one might not have the same public controversy that Issue 2 did.
Anyone?

Yes, actually you are correct. Typing too fast and before thinking. Thanks for clarifying that. I believe it does have to come from state legislature.

Moms....i guess u haven't been following the news the last few years ??? While there are still 8-9 percent of people out there who have lost jobs or have given up trying to find something even close ...those that have been lucky enough to stay employed have seen stagnated wages and insurance premiums rising 15-20 percent annually. Lets compare to these teachers ! Cmon are they really that bad off that a strike is necessary ????? ZERO support from me .

Thank you Lyn. I am generally sensible and I try to see both sides. There is always truth in each. But on this issue I am more on the side of the public, though I understand a teacher's delemma - I am not a teacher like Holly. Emotions seem to be running high as the deadline is getting nearer. I wish that the teachers union would read these and realize that not all of us in the community want to hurt them nor do we disrepect them. The teaching profession is a noble one that is not easy. But there is only so much money available and we all want to be able to afford what we need. The public has very loudly said "no more." The teachers need to know it is not personal - it's business. Look at the other districts they are all lowering pay scales or taking very little increment raises and giving up something else. Th is in not union busting. Strongville has a very lucrative contract based on the industry for the size. One of the best in the state - also very expensive for the taxpayer especially since we get little state funding that is ever getting smaller causing a greater burden on the local property owners. No matter how long they stay on strike the outcome will be the same. They have to pay their own retirement, they have to pay more for their benefits and they have to figure out a compensation stragegy based on merit. If they can focus on these three things only I think they can get to a agreeable contract we all can live with.

LOL It definitely was meant as a compliment, Tad. And, yes, I was serious.

Hi Tad,
I didn't say their salary was going down; I said their take home pay is going down. The teachers made concessions last contract to save the board money. If they are paying more for medical and not getting a raise (the BOE froze step increases last time), how is their take-home pay not going down? Look at the board proposal. Teachers will have to pay more for medical and their share of retirement. Then the board will say that they gave teachers a 10% raise when actually the teacher will be taking home less money because the 10% goes to retirement and more salary goes to medical benefits. So again, no raise.
Also, people who chose to be teachers may have done so because it is a recession-proof profession. There are always people who need to be educated.

Exactly - the union is not dealing with the change in the economy. Hence the change needed in their salary structure.

As a side note that I have not seen mentioned. Has any other Strongsville resident noticed property taxes adjusted downward? Ours were lowered this year. My point is, MOST of my property tax goes to Strongsville Schools. Revenue is going down, so expenditures must follow. IMHO

Colleen? What's my last name??

Good for you - 2 posts, both blasting me.
Glad you have an opinion on the topic.

So, you condone their actions?

Jumping on cars, barricading,...

This is such a ridiculous argument. At it's most extreme level, That is like saying you should continue to pay someone trying to extort you instead of paying attorneys to help get you out of the situation and make sure justice prevails in the end. Or, from a financial perspective, we're talking about the present value versus future value of money, and some of us are looking on down the road to the long-term value as opposed to simply today.

But, you think my "real" first name is Colleen?

Hey Justin-
I didn't put down anyone's wage.
I've chosen at 2 different times in my life to be at both ends - a TRUE professional with a career and just a worker with a job. I can relate to both, and actually found more happiness when I was earning the least - and yet, that was the most stressful job. Go figure.

Great thoughts! Don't know why some of the people on here are so jealous of what teachers make!? They work their asses off, and yes, they DESERVE to be treated fairly!

I totally agree, Tina! I am certain the teachers aren't taking this decision lightly! It is really scary to see the negativity that is being aimed towards teachers. Some of these people hate them so badly on here, but yet entrust them daily with their most prized treasures..their children. Something is seriously wrong here.

Barricading and jumping on cars and beating on cars and carrying a "tombstone"?
You shouldn't belittle one's perception of feeling threatened - that's often when something does follow.
I'm sorry I responded politely to you - I see it wasn't worth my time.
You guys are just the bullies you want others to think we are.

Mary - that last comment was unnecessary and totally inappropriate. Your comments do nothing prove that your position is based on nothing other than emotion. Please look at this as if this dilemna was family budget or your own checkbook. How do you handle it ? You makes cuts ....some are painful... Some necessary .... It is simple math both the problem and the solution.

Seriously this site needs a "like" button

Please stop with the emotional pleas. No one is jealous, just being realistic. Again, you have the same offer I gave to Justine and every person that visits this board....tell us...if we leave tax payer funded benefits compensation packages for teachers (health care/pension) in place and you have the 100% certainty that you will not be receiving another dime in tax dollars for revenues (which is completely true, not heresay), please tell us how you expect the school district to avoid insolvency? They are already projected to be in the red by 2014. Let's deal in reality. No more "they deserve x, y and z." So knowing any additional tax dollars are out of the question, where exactly are you getting these funds to pay x, y and z and at the same time fund the enormous liabilities of the employee's benefits package in order to stave off insolvency? And remember, Washington might be able to print money, but Ohio cannot...just in case you had that one up your sleeve.

Mr. S.
Bottom line....you get what you pay for.

I don't understand what that means Trying. There is no money. The system needs to be restructured. Benefit compensation packages MUST be a part of that restructuring. What exactly is your point?

Excellent thoughts, thank you for some intelligence on here!!