Hire the Non-Union, appreciative, substitute Teachers. I am sure that they would gladly accept the current Unionized Teachers salaries, health and retirement benefit$ without hestation, and as a non-unionized group they would then have an incentive to perm or be replaced by better talent. Let's face it, not all Teachers are of equal caliber.

This sounds like a good place to view your thoughts on the strongsville sports program..

Please don't tell me Lynch is still the coach?

Yes,Lynch did quit on them-about ten years ago. He's just another example of a school employee who double dips & is a drain on the system & funds. I'm not one for kids quitting unless there is a valid reason-and in this case there have been too many reasons to count. Tenure, unions,etc are to blame- who wouldn't want to go to "work", but not "show up" for the kids & collect a hefty pay & benefits. This is just another example of a teacher/coach/employee who keeps their job although totally ineffective. I think the buck is going to stop here because the masses of Strongsville taxpayers are fed up & simply won't fall prey to threats anymore.We have all learned to do without & make sacrifices in our personal lives w/this economy,so we are willing to sacrifice some of the dead weight as well. I'm so impressed with the BOE's willingness to stand up & tell it like it is(That there are no funds ) and stand firm on what needs to be done to make our schools functional. I have to agree w/fed up-it's a perfect opportunity to get rid of non-productive tenured teachers.

Where exactly does the audacity come from to call someone a greedy coward when you admitted you don't even know the demands of the teacher's union?

there is no way the city can afford the $15,000 I heard the teachers are asking for

I always wondered how our city had so many troubled students, but when I read the consistent comments about $15,000 I realize that these poor kids have disabled parents.

Are we to understand your comment Mr. Fart Modell as disabled=stupid? Nice...

Yes Wendy. I was trying to be polite but somehow our fair city has become a mini-haven for stupid people. For example, the comment that the union employees on strike can be terminated and replaced because they are now "at-will" is 100% false. This challenge soul learned the phrase "at-will" and thought they would sound wordly by using it.

Even if it is completely wrong.

homer they cannot fire them, but if they voluntarily walk off the job (strike) and the board refuses to settle, the teachers do not HAVE to be rehired even those who cross the picket line

um just saying they are not "greedy cowards" for not publishing their demands....it is actually illegal for them to do so. It would also be illegal for the board to publish their proposal so neither side is being a coward for not publishing their proposal.

yes teacher-
more propaganda and twisting the facts-
If both sides agree to show the proposals, then there is no problem. It is only a problem if one side were to do it and the other did not approve - YOU KNOW THAT!

Because it's all political - I was embarrassed to discover the reputation of the Strongsville sports program :(

Rich, so you have a daughter at SHS, correct? Let me quote you: "The only mistake I've seen in my short time here in Strongsville was when the basketball coach allowed a player who beat the crap out of a girl to remain on the team and play in the games." Wow, I wonder if that were your daughter if you would see that as "the only mistake"? I think not. That incident was the beginning of the demise of our current program. When adults don't hold kids accountable for their actions, the adults in charge lose credibility and it is a classic case of the tail wagging the dog. I no longer have kids in the school system, but I will tell you this. Kids are leaving the program in droves because they don't want to play for the varsity coaches. It has nothing to do with them not being good enough to play. Those kids did not quit.........they chose not to try out and that speaks volumes about our current program. I feel bad for the players. Those boys worked their tails off; it is time they get the guidance at the varsity level that they deserve. And as a sidenote, if that boy who "beat the crap out of a girl" was a baseball player, he never would have sniffed a baseball diamond again, no matter which school he was recruited by. There is the perfect example of a quality program which requires high standards from their players and their coaches. Baseball is not always in the top 10 in the state by accident. And, no, I am not a baseball coach nor do I have a kid on the team!!

Rich,

You have no clue what you are talking about. The boy did not beat the crap out of a girl. If you actually new the facts you would know she admitted to making the story up to get attention. Learn the facts before you start rambling off false statements

Joe Lynch is a nice man who has stayed way too long. Think Woody Hayes for example. A better leader would step aside so the next generation can step up.

Mustang,you are the one that has no idea what he's talking about-that girl was punched in the face because she rebuffed that drunk player when he tried forcing himself on her. You can probably get the police report on the full story at the station. I know a policeman who did the interview & all that boys parents were concerned about was that he not lose his athletic scholarship(which he did,to OSU). Yet,he was picked up by Iowa,who probably were unaware of the incident, thanks to Lynch who put him right back out on the court despite his abhorrant behavior.The boy & the girl's families were friends & came to a "compromise" & I believe they didn't press charges,although their daughter was physically assaulted & sporting a black eye. That was just wrong. I could never teach my daughter that she wasn't worth it & accept a guy hurting her just to save face with a clique of friends. Shame on all the parents involved.Fast forward almost 2 years & the now Iowa football player was recently arrested for public drunkenness-surprise,surprise! His parents & coach did him no favors in not making him accountable for his poor behavior & now it has carried over into his adult life.

Beverly,

You have the wrong facts.

1) The girl was not punched in the face.
2) They did not press charges cause the girl admitted she made it up but not to her parents until later. This is the real reason why the charges were dropped.
3) OSU never offered him a scholarship therefore could not pull an offer.
4) He was not arrested for public drunkenness he was arrested for being in a bar past the hours 18 year olds were allowed in.

The girl made getting punched up and eventually had to transfer school due to all the ridicule from other students about making a false accusation like that. You had no clue what that boy had to endure because some girl got mad at him and made up a story.

Mustang YOU ARE WRONG & I'll believe a policeman who did the intake every day over you- who are obviously a friend or family member making excuses for his bad behavior.People need to accept responsibility when they behave badly.Even IF -and that's a big IF,some of the facts regarding his scholarship being pulled aren't accurate, then answer me why he was suspended for a set number of athletic events following this incident because of his actions? Have to give him points for creativity though: he/his coaches/parents found a loophole & had him join track, because it was in the next season ( a spring sport) he normally wouldn't participate in,so that the suspension wouldn't affect his senior year of football-oh so clever of them. He was also involved in many incidents of underage drinking where he was destructive at a friend's home & those parents called his to ask help getting him out of their house because he was out of control .Another example-he & his friend's parents had to pay thousands of dollars restitution for a cabin he & others damaged after prom. Ray was throwing glass beer bottles against the wall & acting crazy/out of control.Want me to go on about your" little angel"? THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR HIS BAD BEHAVIOR & he needs help.His parents & coaches do him no favors,nor do you, by trying to save his butt each time-that's called enabling & they are doing a bang up job of it. Want me to list witnesses too? You opened a can of worms trying to enable your friend.

Beverley,

I know for a fact he was never offered a scholarship to OSU. As far as the suspension that was because of drinking not the so called assault. There were other athletes suspend from the same party. I do know the facts because I was there the next day when he and the girl where hanging out and she had no black eye. You have completely changed the direction of the conversation. I was not defending him for his drinking. I have been a first had witness to some of it and do no condole it so do not take it as I am solely defending him. I know he gets out of control and know all about the cabins. That is not what I was referring to. No one is enabling him and I probably have far more witnesses than you. I was merely pointing out that he never hit the girl and that people should stop talking about that and criticizing Lynch and him for it. Move on.

so the link provided does no include the $8000 pickup on the pension pickup that Only strongsville teachers are getting out of the surrounding cities

Uh, you do know that this information isn't just for teachers?

Fart Modell: what is your point? Do you have one? Obviously, since the article we are commenting on is about the looming strike of Strongsville teachers, the link was posted as reference to provide data regarding the subject of the article. Yes the ohiocasb.org website has other data but I am referencing it specifically to the subject of the article; who cares what else is on it. I have no clue where the whole athletics and coachs discussion became relevant but as far as I'm concerned, that is secondary and meaningless to this conversation.

Very old information on this site (ohiocasb.org) Mr. Gray is still listed as Superintendent. He was before Lampert, who was before Krupinsky. Maybe 2008 information.

Who cares if the information is old or not. Obviously the information, even if it is old, is a good guide to how much they make and if anything, they make MORE than what is listed on the website.

they dont have to fire them ....once on strike the school board is under no law to ever bring them back ............oh before someone starts whining about the teachers getting excellent with distinction ..remember this these are the same teachers that refused to sign the race to the top (merit system) and strongsville lost $ 400,000

so why would excellent with distinction teachers FEAR a merit based system ????????????????/

I wish I could have been in the class. "Here sir, let me help you with that. Mom said your retirement and medical costs are draining up our budget each year. The faster we get you out of here, the better."

Its just a blog.

Fart modell .. I am not sure who your last point was aimed at ??? Last time I checked my pay stub I am still looking for that pay raise that has been on hold for the last three years, my health inurance now almost 400/month went up another 15 percent , and the 401 k that I am funding with my own money ( not the taxpayers) is down. This is no reflection of the fact that I like (many teachers )have my college degree and advanced degree and i still have to maintain my professional certication . Difference is...most of us today do not have a union to hide behind.

the only reason SB5 was repealed was because the teachers hid in the background and made it all about the police and firefighters ...if they never put the police and firefighters in the bill it would have never been repealed

Been there ..do I sense a tinge of sour grapes ? So the worst that can happen is they SEA ( like you probably had to ) have to come out of pocket more for their OWN health insurance and more for their OWN retirement. Which is waaaaaaay overdue. I do not know ... but for a group of people that are supposed to be so educated I find it unbelievable that they simply cannot reason thru this fact and appreciate what they have.

Pebbles is the only clear-cut winner at $250 per billable man hour. Last I heard the board had TWO of Pebbles lawyers...raking in $500 per hour.

I think the lawyer is worth every penny

That is a CHOICE. You are not asking us anything. You feel entitled. I have no doubt you have had students you loved and cared for, but give me a break. That storyline is getting old. If we cannot afford it, we cannot. Also... the Strongsville teachers have behaved awfully... calling into question their compassionate character. Picketing private homes? They have sealed their own fate with our town.

Been there-

At least the Brecksville teachers pay for their own contribution to their retirement fund. I'm surprised you guys didn't demand your district pick that up for you also!

Been there-
But you still get social security, under the

WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION

Catchy little name, huh? Even the government thinks you collecting both social security and a school pension qualifies as a windfall.
Imagine that, normally when people hear the word WINDFALL, they would think oil company - but the government has this little provision labeled for people like you!

Lyn...please try to stick to the facts. For every "neighbor" you have who took some kind of concession or freeze, I'll find you one who didn't. That's an old and tired argument. The same is true of insurance plans and their premiums.
When did I say anything about alcohol on school time? I said alcohol in public outside of school. Of course it is unacceptable to drink at school orvatbschool functions. . Having a beer or a glass of wine at Applebee's could've gotten me fired though. It said it in their proposal, and you know it did. It was published on the school website. Everything I said about the lawyer was factual. Try using some facts in your posts. Credibility is paramount when debating an issue, and that credibility is gained through the citing of facts.

Been there-
Priorities-YES!
If my family wants to spend money on tickets or clothing, that is for OUR enjoyment. We work for our money to decide what we want to spend money on - and its not to provide a lifestyle that some teachers feel they are entitled to.
Get it? Bad comparison you are trying to make. Our children can get as good an education by another qualified teacher waiting to take your place who won't try to hold its community hostage. I will pay for them, not a bunch of money grabbing, disrespectful hoodlums. I will also pay for tickets and clothing of my choosing - and if I decide that its not worth my money, I won't spend money on it.

Been there-
I saw the facts. Go back to any of those Patch articles about the Brecksville teachers acting like fools last summer and you'll see my name all over every article. You teachers distorted the truth just like these teachers are doing. You take things out of context and present half truths and call it fact.

Windfall? I paid into it, but I won't get MY money back. You'll get it. Who is really supporting whom?

You work for your money? I don't? Again...priorities. Your kids are worth spending money on if it's for Ugg boots, season opener club seats, Taylor Swift floor seats, etc. but they're not worth spending money on their education. I take comfort in knowing that the currently entitled yet gradually uneducated children of America will never be leading it. They will, however, rely on government dollars someday, too...welfare dollars. I do get a chuckle out of that irony. LOL!

lyn...again...please deal in facts. What did we distort this summer? What was taken out of context? Specifics, lyn. They are critical to any hope you may have left for even a shred of credibility, rather than your current pounds of misguided jealousy and pathetic whining about how you are victimized by educators. If you can't cite facts and examples, you look silly. Have you no dignity?

As a person directly involved in last summer's events, I can provide as many facts as you need. What was your role and from whom did you get your information this past summer and now in Strongsville?

I already told you I am a teacher. What is your profession and how does it qualify you to weigh in on a fact-based debate?

" Ugg boots, season opener club seats, Taylor Swift floor seats, etc. "
Not me - maybe my family's neighbors in Brecksville, they spend a little differently there. I see we agree on that.

Windfall - like I said - even the government agrees by the name they call it when you get your school pension and social security. The most anyone can get on SS is about $28,000 - and not until even 65 for that full amount. But that Brecksville teacher earning an average final salary of $85,000 that started working at age 22, 30 years ago, and is now 52 - can retire and collect their full retirement of $56,000/year and get healthcare. And you expect me to feel bad for you and sympathize that the government came up with WINDFALL provision because you get this windfall?
Try selling that to someone else - I'm not and won't buy it.

Out of context and distorted the part about the drinking in public.
Don't even try and say it meant you couldn't have a drink with dinner, at a restaurant with your friends.

been there maybe you should also stick to the facts again with the key talking points
you said " and our Board wanted a 6-10% PERMANENT wage decrease,"
so been how would you write "PERMANENT wage decrease" into a 2 or 4 year contract since contracts are not "permanent" how funny anonymous posters were floating a similar rumor " LIFETIME WAGE FREEZE"
now also I see you brought up the other key talking points "Bill Pepple" and "lining his own pockets with billable hours " again very odd other anonymous posters same key words huh now picketing board members houses wow original
well teachers you need a new playbook AND IT WILL BE GO ON STRIKE WITH NO SUPPORT

Lyn they are doing the " striking for dummies" step by step next your going to tell me that they will be picketing the boards houses

Really...? Delivering a copy of a pledge we wanted the Board to sign was problematic for you? We agreed not to strike if the agreed to keep bargaining in good faith and not impose a contract. That's when it all changed. The Board knew they were going to impose a contract, even though they swore to the community that they wouldn't. They also knew that the community didn't want a strike, and the community was all in favor of the Board signing the pledge. We made them put up or shut up, so they shut up.
By the way, there were scores of community members who supported us at Board meetings, via emails and phone calls to the Board, etc. They still do. The negative people lost. They're bitter, like you, so healing will be difficult for them. No worries though. They will move out soon. Their coup failed. The rest of the community...the positive people...will reunite and emerge as an even better and stronger school system. Game over.

been you said "They also knew that the community didn't want a strike" that was brecksville
this is strongsville we are counting the days, we want the board to stand firm, we want the teachers standing outside while our children learn in the schools and at home

Oh, lyn. I continue to educate you. Get it? I "educate" you? I just made a joke about "teaching" you. You are a hesitant learner, however. The renewal levy had nothing to do with the contract. The dollars had already been projected into the budget. Please...for God's sake...stop talking.

So, that turd, head of their teachers association, was doing the same thing - getting everyone all riled up over things that no reasonable person should be upset with.
And they had the audacity to blame an attorney for putting language in a contract say no illicit drugs allowed in or away from school, or no alcohol if it effects school?
This is why the attorney fees climb - the union dragging this out until they manage to get what they want, not what they deserve.
But, that won't happen here - there will be no money, so its a mute point!

Maybe all turds don't smell the same, but Brecksville's and ours use the same union tactics.
Sorry, all, for the lengthy distraction with this guy who is still bitter and seems to want to carry that bitterness over to out city.

They also disrespected and invaded the privacy of their board members homes and private lives, but they went to their doors to demand they sign some contract with the intention of stalling the BOE from standing its ground. They tried to make it look like they were the poor taken advantage of union and the BOE was the big bad wolf. But the city was also disgusted by their actions of going to their homes - stupid doesn't learn.

I like this statement from
"Been there and needs to go back" -

" Credibility is paramount when debating an issue, and that credibility is gained through the citing of facts. "

Looks like the union and its head turds have zero credibility!!!

Amen and hallelujah. Probably the same reason we will never see a true audit of the federal reserve...transparency is never an option when you are trying to hide something.

VPG (extra perks for just doing their jobs) can be found between pages 57-60
http://www.serb.ohio.gov/sections/research/WEB_CONTRACTS/10-MED-03-0195.pdf

often these little "extras " are what teachers often cite to show they care about the kids .......but in reality their salary reflects growth at any little extra they do

Well Jim they will not make it public because they know damn well that the citizens would probably lynch them. The only reason to keep anything a secret is because you have something to hide.

what !!! you dot think the taxpayers will go along with the $15,000 I heard the teachers are asking for in their contract proposal

That is fabulous Both Sides! But the fact remains-the one & ONLY FACT that matters in all of this-THERE IS NO MONEY TO FUND THINGS THE WAY THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST & therefore changes need to be made. Sorry,but concessions WILL need to be made by teachers.Right,wrong or indifferent,no matter what you believe ,or whose side you want to stand on-the fact remains,there IS NO MONEY PEOPLE -GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEADS!!! If some rich businessperson in town wants to pony up $ to keep things running for another year or 2,then problem solved! However,I don't think that's realistic or what will happen. Brace yourself people,the rides about to get rougher as our country faces more financial strain.Italy is near financial collapse, as are other countries,the Dow is down & there are lots more things going on in the world that will strain Americans financially in the months to come. Thank you Dictator Obama for adding to that strain w/your cockamamie socialist policies & "health care for all". The middle class can't afford any more for ANYONE . SIMPLE: NO FUNDS= NO CADILLAC BENEFITS/RETIREMENT. Get used to it,it's only the beginning

How have you read both proposals, have they been published or are you on the negotiating team?

We, as taxpayers have to ask, where does it end????? Everything has its limits. I agree teachers, like firefighters, police officers, our military and so on, are in fact very valuable to us as a society. Where does it end???? are teachers worth $200,000/year or $1,000,000/year. The fact of the matter is that the teachers enjoy a better salary and benefits than most of us in the private sector. Lets face it you will not get rich being a teacher, if you all claim to care about our children, then stop worrying about your paycheck and educate them!

the teachers union picked the wrong city to dig in their heels, the community does not support the teachers AND the teachers have done everything so far wrong to earn any sympathy from the fence sitters, when they go on strike the residents will rally around the school board and give them all the support they need

I'm sure that the teachers will come on here next and try and discredit the info found at this site just like they do with the Buckeye site

yes homer --we uneducated tea party trash living in our 300k+ non government paid for homes that pay the wages of these ungrateful teachers

hey teachers the grass is greener elsewhere