Union Propanganda where is the Mayor and his police officer involvemnt with all this personal harrasement?????????????????????

There has to be several laws being broken here........
Do the job you are being paid for protect the board members at home and at work.....

The Ohio Union is scared and they know if they loose in Strongsville other cities will do the same........
Stop over paying teachers and hold them accountable...
Wow that sounds familiar!!!
REAL TAXPAYERS DAILY ROUTINE

Ms. Linscott latest and greatest quote" We've countered our own counters before this". Should of left that one on the counter at home. BOE doesnt even have to counter. The Union is doing it themselves.

Does the SEA really think picketing at BOE member's homes and employers are helping to win them public support? The SEA should rethink their strategy. The union thuggery is not going over well. Stick to your Best And Final Offer, BOE! It's more than fair!

The war is lost Linscott. A few battles may be won, but just like the Germans bombing Pearl Harbor, the good guys will win.

You teachers are losing! How is that three weeks of no pay working for you?

Thank you to the high school teacher that returned to the classroom on Monday. I know it was a very tough decision but you did the right thing. You can't let the bullies ruin your life.

Please read what "union teacher" actually wrote under the Patch Article about the Srongsville Softball Team.....unbelieveable...talk about threats.

It's funny how the arguments go around on the Patch.

"THERE'S NO MONEY!"

"Strongsville has saved over $1 million by striking teachers."

"WELL THEY DON'T DESERVE IT"

Money seems like an excuse because when that goes away, people say something else. People will continue to put the teachers in a bad light. It's also funny because some people blame the teachers acting immature (not all of them, just some) for the reason they don't support them/won't support a levy. I find it more likely it was just an easy excuse as the attitude toward teachers seem to have always been anti-union or anti-teacher.

It's great the the Principal is looking over the grades. A lot of the grades received aren't exactly fair and I don't want it to hurt students. Some of the teachers seem like they aren't certified to teach a high school. Half of mine are pretty bad but I'm glad I do have some good ones that know (partially) what they're doing.

The missing posters I've got to admit is a pretty good idea. I didn't really approve the stalking or yelling, but this is smart. The only thing I'm unsure is that I heard that the Board members are disconnecting their phones. This would only leave other phones (Home, Work). Then again, if you don't want to be called at home, leave your board number open.

We really to clear this mess. I think both sides need to meet every day until this is fixed. Education/Students are suffering.

(Yes, I know John Strong will jump)

Emmmaualll Bolgna:
Have you graduated from grade 8 yet???

I really believe the mayor should call out the teachers on their behavior. He should show other cities that he believes in his city and does not agree with the striker's behavior. Let the teacher's know how unacceptable this is and he should have the police in sight of them.

As i dropped my senior off at the HS this morning, I was trying to exit West onto Shurmer, most of the former teachers stopped to let me out, but one former female teacher, purposely slowed her gate and made me wait. As I stopped to check traffic, she stood directly next to my drivers window, blocking my sight to see if there was oncommming traffic. Her sign purposely being held as close to the window as possible. I politely rolled down my window and asked if she would "please move your sign, I can not see oncomming cars", she first ignored me, then when I said it loud enough for the officer across the driveway to hear, she then looked at him and moved barely an inch or 2. Really? Is this what you want? If I would have driven into oncomming traffic, I would have been injured, as well as the other person in the other vehicle and perhaps the former teachers themselves who were so dangerously close to the street. This has got to end. I am Pro Student, not Anti Board or Anti Teacher. I just want our children to get some sort of normalcy back. I will say, however, I have lost respect for the former teachers and will not vote to pass a levy that would improve anything whatsoever for the teachers, EVER!!! Not after the blatent bullying and disregard for the students and myself as a parent.

Where is the CLASS in classroom teacher???? Other systems are watching this strike and are embarrassed by some of this behavior. I am all for the strike when handled in a mature and CLASSy manner.

Scum

279...another crossed on Monday at the high school.

I loved it at Tri-C yesterday. The campus police were on the striking scabs within seconds and kicked their sorry %#### off campus. The losers had to walk the line outside the campus and looked like a bunch of pathetic idiots to people not even from Strongsville. Way to go SEA & OEA, more and more people are seeing what idiots you scabs really are.

"I offered a counter to my previous counter, which countered my previous counter, which as you know revised my initial counter to my first counter offer."

So what your saying Big Trace is that you'll negotiate yourself right into the best and final and all the Teachers will have to show for it is a month's less pay (and maybe more).

Yeah, that Tracy is quite the negotiator. Instead of Life Skills, they should have her teach that. Too bad she won't have a job as a teacher anymore.

It's more sad than frustrating. Kind of like seeing a homeless person dumpster diving. Ohh wait, this time next year she might very well be a homeless person dumpster diving.

Apparently we should have the campus police take over for our union police. It sounds like they would be more effectice in not allowing our fine city to look like a circus.

If I were a BOE member I would have 2-3 yard sprinklers going full blast across the sidewalk and make some picketer popsicles. These teachers are pathetic losers. The BOE's last offer is as good if not better than any other local districts current contract, why can't that fact be driven home in the negotiations. If the x-teachers think there is better pay somewhere they should be excited about the prospect of finding a job there. But hurry before the other 382 find out about the 1 opening available.

Below is an excerpt from a post yesterday, by "Geena". I love this comment, worth posting again.
====
Guess what SEA, everyone in a job is replaceable!! I've got a damn good and damn important job, and you know what would happen if I died tomorrow? My employer and co-workers would all come to my funeral, cry about how wonderful I was, and then they would REPLACE me!! Strongsville teachers/SEA, get over yourselves. In the big scheme of things, you're not that important or irreplaceable.
====
Stay stong BOE! Almost 300 subs and counting!

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=5kxc6kzH-uI&sns=fb&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D5kxc6kzH-uI%26sns%3Dfb

Too funny not to share.

Thats right on, marathon!

It looks like Huffmaster and Alternative Workforce are flooding the blogs with anti-union remarks in order to continue the strike.

Ahhh yes, today's union tactic, pulled from Chapter 31, p.308 of the manual (titled "How to Beat Our Opponent Through Internet Guerrilla Warfare"): "When the opponent is smart enough to call you out on your cyber-bullying tactics and the social media mediums are not backing the union generally, then flip the switch on them by claiming that all of the non-union supporting posts are actually made by the 'scab' outsourcing companies. We refer to this as the internet version of the Hail Mary pass play."

Chuckle out to Michael Thomas. Yeah, the BOE pays by the fat fingered word. Jig is up, all citizens of strongsville are really fully behind the SEA. Now we can meet all 5% of the collective on the picket lines tomorrow. Oops, I mean "they" can.

(Lyn, my post was geared to them. It's obvious you all are smart enough to know better. ;) )

Gosh golly gee, and Michael Thomas was a mere outsider looking in yesterday, posting under the feign of neutrality. Doi! Time to log out and create another screen name. See you in a few.

What do you do anyway, keep a running list of screen names and passwords. Can you use the same email and password for each screen name? How does that work? It must get so confusing. Inquiring minds want to know and lord knows, you all write for the National Enquirer.

Your union hasn't trained you very well. As Donald Trump would say, "you're fired!" Run along now. I'm sure there's some continuing education course you could be taking. Those six hours in five years must be exhausting, and very expensive too.

Has anyone looked at the video on you tube. "Strike out" just to funny, supposedly by a high school student had me laughing

Michael Thomas - it looks like you might be the least clever of the new nightly troll sent to this site. Your comments, so far, are below 3rd grade level...along the "I know you are, but what am I" vein.

They've sent some lame ducks before, but I think we have a new leader. Some have been more offensive. Some have been more militant in their stances. Some have even been more wrong. But none have been as dull and lame as you.

The teachers are asking for support from other districts to help with picketing because they are getting tired and need a break. Not to many other suburbs stepping up to help them. That tells me that other suburbs think they have it to good.

"Hey guys, I"m michael thomas and I'd like to pre-post a reply to every comment from here on out...for this article on every other article as well, that way I don't have to cut and paste anymore. Basically, my absolutely hilarious gig is that I just keep writing that you guys must work for Huffmaster or are being paid to post here. It's so awesome isn't it? all my friends tell me how funny I am when I do it. My mom told me I was going to be creative but I had no clue that it was going to be this kind of creative gold rush! So just sit back and let me entertain you with my copy and paste replies. Obviously, I'll provide the laughs, you all just keep posting comments for me to use my grade A material on."

Bernie Madoff it's not your real name. Huffmaster and Alternative Workforce are evil companies to do this to Strongsville. Looks like nielson has had over a hundred hits in the past hour.

I sure wish the people who are in the ACTUAL negotiations would post what is ACTUALLY going on !! I'm tired of reading posts from the same people over and over and over and over again !! Did you get arrested by the SPD John Strong ?? Is that why you have a personaal vendetta against the police ?? I sure hope cooler heads prevail and they ALL get back to talks !!! You can't get anywhere without talking ! And please mayor, don't be swayed by all these negative comments posted on the Patch !!! It's pretty much the same people all the time !!! Do any of you actually have JOBS??? I'm retired and I can hardly sit and read most of this crap !

I have a daughter at one of the elementary schools in Strongsville. She is in the third grade and does not share my same last name, but I wish not to specify the school in fear she will be retaliated against if the Teacher's Union figures out who her mother is. Regardless, my daughter has been struggling with fractions all year. Within three days of having a substitute teacher, she has figured out fractions and is no longer frustrated in math. This is a clear example of how the quality of a teacher should be judged by his or her merit, not their tenure with a Union. I have called the school, spoken to the principal, and encouraged them to hire this teacher for the benefit of all our children!

Does anyone know if all of them (the teachers) can be terminated if they continue to refuse to go back to the classroom? I'm getting sick of their nonsense and wouldn't be one bit sorry if all of them lost their jobs.

Donna, I suggest you read the ORC and ODE regulations.

A bit up the page Michael Thomas asked me how much huff master was paying me. I had to do the math. In fact it was zero. But here is the investment I made in the district that absolutely earns me the right to voice my displeasure in the SEA and fully back the BOE. $5,746 of my prop tax want to the district. $800 went to pay to participate for extra curric. $249 in fees and supplies. $37 to elementary school room supplies that the teacher the stole. $250 went to PTA as a donation. $50 want to the hockey team and I hate hockey. won't bother to add all the little sundries along the way or money from the fed and state that is also a perce rage of my tax dollars. Multiply that by 12 years.

So, because I am not an SEA drumbeeter does not mean I am a paid hack like you likely are. In fact, I am an investor who is very dissatisfied with the production output tat represents a redicilous percentage of my total investment. I can't imagine how pissed residents without students in the district are right now.

SEA accomplished the impossible. The majority is supporting the Board. Proof is in the complete lack of out ry to end the strike. The mayor was completely ignores. No one is joining the pickets. And the teachers are individually voicing concern. I know, I make it a mission to talk to 2 new ones a day.

Yours truly.

John Q Taxpayer

GET RID OF THE SENIORTY!!!!! reward them on their performance. . that is why they are so scared. it's not the money....

They just don't have to hire them back.

Michael Thomas, you seem very confused...well, more accurately spewing more propaganda. Our city is more united than ever before. The one and only good thing about this is that, like any tragedy, it has brought us together. United we stand, make no mistake. You may not be familiar since you don't live in Cleveland, but we all tend to hibernate in the winter months and don't see or talk to our neighbors as much then. We are busy in our own lives and don't communicate with perfect strangers while frequenting our local establishments. But now? Now we all have something to talk about, in the dead of winter. We have something in common! Our resentment of the OEA, Tracy Linscott and anybody that follows the SEA. Seeing as how half the teachers don't even live here, there's only about 162 households that potentially disagree with the mass majority opinion and word on the street is that the vast majority of them don't even disagree but are instead being threatened and scared into compliance, like true victims. The union doesn't even allow it to come to a vote, then or now? Yeah, you all have quite the support alright!

First off let me state in advance that I am a public school teacher and I have 3 kids in Strongsville schools. I am ashamed for my profession and my children that they have teachers who behave in the reprehesible way that these SEA people have behaved. The minute my union told me to go to somone's house or job is the minute I tell them to stick it and go back to work, crossing the line. I know that many of the union members are also embarrased and upset at their fellow strikers but are being quiet. Those teachers that disagree need to stand up now before it is too late. Don't be like lemmings and follow your union president off the cliff. After all if this blows up in your face her finances will be just fine.

The contract being offered not only puts you at the top of the compenstation train in the state but is way above what the average person makes in Cuyahoga County. If I were to move from the public district I work in now to Strongsville I would get a 14k raise.

Union members had better wake up before they are all unemployed because you can believe that when Strongsville post postions for their jobs I will be at the front of the line applying for a position, happy to accept such a "terrible" offer. In a climate where every other union is making big concessions the SEA is making us all look bad. There will be an end date for all of you, time to THINK FOR YOURSELVES!

Then tell your school broad to give only the OTES part of the contract to the teachers.

Michael buddy. Do better. Take more time and develope an argument. It's been 25 years since my lady debate class and I could argue your point better than you. Are you an automated blog troll?

192, sorry typo. Wouldn't want to get called out by the unemployed math teacher.

What salary does a school board member make? I realize they are elected, but they do have fulltime jobs,which makes me believe that a school board member is doing this job as they care about the schools, teachers and students. They could all just resign and walk away from this nonsense and then what do striking teachers do??

And POOF! Michael is off and onto his 9:30 web chat with the OEA. The agenda? "Tomorrow's social media campaign after 28 consecutive days of failure."

Marathon Dad, I hear you. Same problem. Maybe that's where Tracy can fill a need! "Typing on a Touch Screen 101." My phone doesn't even give the option of commenting under someone else's comment to boot. But, if it helps any, I think the auto-correct could be accurate. Michael could be called Michele and he could be a wife beater.

Or dude-spouse beater, as the case may be, either way.

Some FACTS about unions:
Unions do not provide jobs: Only successful and profitable companies can provide job
Unions cannot force a company to do anything: They can only make requests
Unions can force you to strike even if you disagree with such actions
Striking workers can be permanently replaced
You have a right under the law to oppose unions
You do not have to talk to a union organizer
A companies open door policy would be legally required to end if a union represents you. You are required to take all issues to a union thug er representative who than interupt your issue to a member of management: YOU COULD NO LONGER SPEAK FOR YOURSELF

Unions need money to exist. Dues are the unions only source of income.
Unions make no products, provide no service and create no jobs

Michael- YOU ARE A TOOL!!! He's in the bathroom crying after Tad just outed him!!

Johnny there was a time when union served a good purpose protecting people from terrible work conditions. Many of today's regulations are due to unions fighting for workers.
With that being said I belive that unions can be really detrimental IE always wanting more even where more is not available. A union is not powerful if the people in it thing for themselves. In my union the teachers where I work simply would not strike under any circumstances except the safety of our kids. We signed a new contract last year with a 3 year pay freeze and increased benefits because we now that our community is hurting. 100 percent of the teachers I know are shaking their head at the SEA. Look at what Medina agreed to recently.

Autism Teacher, it all boils down to one person, Tracy Linscott. She's likely been brown-nosing and had her eye on a full-time union position for quite some time, so she's been brown-nosing and politicking accordingly. Think back to the SB 5 debate. They had a protest. Where? Strongsville. Why would there be a protest in a Republican hot bed like that, so far away from Columbus. This has been in the works for quite some time and it has nothing to do with the terms of the contract. It's Columbus vs. the OEA and Linscott using the political issue for her personal gain, all at the sacrafice of the SEA members, the kids and the community.

And, rest assured, she's been promised a position from the union in the end.

Sville,

I agree with you 100 percent. That is why I called the SEA members lemmings following their leader off the cliff. If they are smart they will impeach her now before they lose their jobs. They can impeach her,it is in their bylaws.

Interesting about impeaching. Thanks for that info. A TEACHER, you've been reading these comments. I and others said three weeks ago that your leaders were failing you and you need to vote them out. I know there are many just like you out there. It is time to get the underground movement going and end this now! You all have to think for yourselves and your families because you are the LAST thing on the OEA's and Tracy Linscott's mind. You are disposable and collateral damage to their personal and political agenda. Save yourselves. This economy sucks and now is not the time to be unemployed! Either stsrt crossing the line en masse or impeach gour traitor of a leader!

I am also a teacher in another district, We would kill to have the contract that was turned down. The behavior displayed by your suburban school teachers, is shocking to say the least ! it is very "Chicago like"
From what we have witnessed on Tv and read on this and other sites, this group of teachers will never work in this region ever again, they will forever have STRONGSVILLE on their resume,
I would like to offer an apology to the residents of Strongsville for my fellow professionals behavior

sville,

I have not been reading until just recently but I agree with much of what you say. All I can tell you is that where I work we make about 30%, at least, less but are generally are very happy with the profession we choose and the pay that comes with the joy of working with with our kids. There will be no strike where I am now or anytime in the future.

Thank you B, and Autism Teacher. I feel bad for the good teachers such as yourselves, because of the stigma that this is placing on your profession generally. As I said early on, my teachers went on strike when I was a kid, and acted with the utmost professionalism throughout. It just doesn't have to be this way, especially from supposed professionals. These people have acted like anything but professionals.

Agree...thank you both for coming on here. There isn't anyone who "hates" teachers, which is not what the SEA would lead you to believe. We value and appreciate what a teacher does. And we would be lucky to have you both in the district.

This is an issue of out of control leadership, a frightening degree of blind loyalty, and a complete disregard for economic reality. They drew the line in the sand and thought the community would just fold. They thought wrong.

Again...thank you for what YOU do.

I do appreciate the comments from both of you and I assure you that many teachers, I know a lot of them, across Ohio don't "get" this union or strike and feel as angry as many of you. Part of me wants them to all get fired to see what its like for unemployed teachers out there and to start to heal our community.

Bring in teachers who won't use kids as pawns!- Good night, after all I have to get up early for school.

The real issue goes deeper. In the private sector you can choose relatievely secure career paths. Limit risk, be as safe as practical, and you can typically survive as long as the company is healthy. But your reward will be less. To get ahead you assume risks like leaving a company and going to another. I've worked for Fortune 250 companies, and 3 startups. I left the big safe monolith for my first startup and took huge risk. Not a very good outcome. The next worked out very well and I'm on the third big move in my career with even better results. But the risk was to lose everything.

Teachers have been vocal about wanting to be paid as professoinals. Ok, let's talk an engineer. Some work for old steady companies and do OK. They could be an engineer doign the same basic job for 40 years and retire if thier 401k holds out and their investment decisions worked. Another may decide to move into management or maybe new venture companies. Bigger reward but much bigger risk.

Teachers want the full "private sector" pay scale. But they are unwilling to take the full private sector risk along with it. Teachers can not expect both. To have the safety net (please don't begin to argue about teaching being "risky") of the public dole. Contracts, pensions and tenure. Short of abuse or complete incompetence you are pretty darn safe. Or risk and reward. Merit based job security and pay. Public dole, or private risk and reward. BAFO is the Dole, take it and smile.

Teacher union are bad peoples. I am resident of the Strongville city of Ohio

I'm so sick of the parents of this city thinking they know what's better for their kids than the teachers who are with them all day long. Most of you end your parenting duties when you drop your kids off at school. I think we know how your kids learn considering we are with them all day long. And all of you are stupid because you cannot see the big picture here. If Iran gets nuclear weapons, then what? Are you still gonna send your kids with a bunch of scabs?!?! Didn't think so. You guys here are all talking about how you can replace teachers with scabs, but did you ever think of how North Korea teaches their kids? Huh? This is why we are in the mess we are. No one thinks about anything outside of their comfy little box they live in. Have fun going down in flames Strongsville.

We used to be "The Crossroads of the Nation". Now we are the "Farce of the Nation".
Ever hear of creative destruction? It's the only way to kill a system. Fire them all and vote out all the Board members. Hire the best substitutes and anyone who wants to reapply and interview for their job. Choose the best and put in a budget that isn't off by $2,000,000. Stop making our town a laughing stock.

Union Yes must be a teacher. Can't hold an argument without going ghetto but the sexual innuendo and put downs must be a new chapter in the "rules". It is good to see the SEA united front hasn't strayed from the strategy of taking the low road. My huch is though, it's just a lonely soul in the dark that needs attention not received elsewhere. Michael, is this really you in some kind of radical new disguise?

I am proud of my union. This "patch" of asscrack you call a media outlet is a small sliver of reality. Community after community love the teachers, here and elsewhere. Why wouldn't they? We do the hard work no one else wants to do! That's why we are not backing down from our demands. We work just as hard or harder than anyone else and should be paid accordingly for it. And if the board of losers doesn't want to get back to the table, we'll just bring the table to them! LOL! LOL! LOL!

My students miss me and I have already heard how stupid the scabs are that are in the classroom. So funny that you all think anyone can replace us so easily! LOL! Like some inner city hood folks can come in and teach! I don't think so BOE sorry asses! Give us what we deserve and we won't hold it against you later!

Oohhh, foreshadowing. Just when I thought you couldn't write! You sound a little panicked and frantic. Running out of money tends to invoke hysteria and hostility though.

Careful with the threats angry man.

You all are so pathetic. I knew you all were stupid, but until I actually came on here for myself, I didn't know you were THIS stupid! LOL! We have the students with us and they want us back, and so do their parents! But you guys keep having fun reciting your same lines over and over again! LOL! I'll be relaxing this weekend and waiting for the board's concession! LOL! LOL!

Newsflash dipshit. The students are minors. Even if true, which it's not, they have no choice or say in the matter. And their parents are posting here and everywhere, against the strike. Go to bed. You really should stop drinking all that alcohol. you don't have the discretionary income. I would say you don't have any income, but we all know you're a union bitch.

LOL! Thank you! And thank you for continuing to fund my pension! LOL! LOL! LOL!

LOL! Nice try Bill Fartus! LOL! Maybe you should read some history! Take a look at Rowe v. Wade moron! Get a clue losers! With this uninformed of a city, no wonder you don't value education! LOL!

I do NOT want that "thing" anywhere near my daughter! He's got to be drunk to be spewing that kind of venom.

I will bid you adieu and head to my quarters. It has been a fun evening of "schooling" all of you (LOL!) on the facts! No profession works harder than teachers and no one is more under appreciated! Keep spending your money on your big houses and fancy cars morons! We'll keep working for scraps! NOT! LOL! LOL!

Union yes ... You need help my friend and a further dose of reality . One , there are certainly many folks who wiork just as hard as you do for probably less . Two , we do appreciate the good teachers in your profession. Based on your posts I probably wouldn't put you in that category. And three, I would not consider your inflated compensation and benefits as scraps. I hope u do not speak for your entire group . If so , god help us all!!!

Union Yes sounds like the SEA, extremely desperate. Clearly reality has set in.

Keep following the union playbook. Last Best Offer baby!

Enjoy another miserable day on the line. Whiner.

Whats the matter union yes boy you cannot stand up for yourself? Need to pay money to a group to represent you? Like eight track tapes and close and play record players soon all unions will be a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, you can't teach people right and wrong, ethics, integrity, or class. These striking teachers were born without all of it -- they are a lost cause and a horrible example for students. OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW!!

Attention Teachers (Overpaid Babysitters)
Hows the 3rd week without a (taxpayers funded) pay check?
Hows the 3rd week on cobra or no medical and dental coverage going?
Mortage payment due?
Car payment due?
I forgot your doing for the kids and parents of Strongsville

It is a shame that the govenor of Ohio is using the children of Stromgsville as his pawns to destroy collective bargaining. He is the puppet master and is controling the BOE at the cost of the childrens education. He should be ashamed of himself and the people of Strongsville need to open there eyes and see that this is not about money it is about destriying collective bargaining. GET EDUCATED STRONGSVILLE!!!! And other districts beware YOU ARE NEXT!!! AND THE KIDS ARE THE ONES PAYING FOR HIS POOR LEADERSHIP!!!!!

I'm going to have to put this in here in pieces. This first one is an email from Dan Mott to the teachers: The attachment will be pasted into the next comments as it is too large for 1 comment

From: SEA Communications <seacommunique@gmail.com>
To: dnmott@strongnet.org
Sent: Tue, Mar 19, 2013 20:07:07 GMT+00:00
Subject: FAQ's of the Strongsville Education Association (IMPORTANT!)

Dear SEA Members,

Attached is a VERY IMPORTANT document that explains many of the questions that we have been receiving since the strike began.

Please DO the following:
1) Read, familiarize, and be comfortable with the material in the document.
2) Go and talk to ONE member of the Strongsville Community about its contents and educate them on our positions BEFORE Friday, 3/22!
3) Have the person go and visit a BOE members house and talk to them about the SEA's positions
a. We're having them go visit BOE because they are not answering their phones, emails, or holding public meetings.
b. The only place we know where they will be is at their homes.
4) Then report back to your Picket Captain with the name of the person you talked to. (These names will not be published ... internal use only)

This document will be distributed to all the media outlets early tomorrow so that it may be read and understood for tomorrow's news cycle.

Many thanks for all you do!
Stand "STRONG!"
Dan

STRONGSVILLE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

QUESTIONS ABOUT TEACHER PAY AND BENEFITS
Does the average Strongsville teacher make $80,000 or more a year?

No. Most Strongsville teachers do not earn near $80,000. The Strongsville salary schedule begins with a base
salary of $34,779. This means that a first year teacher earns $34,779 a year. Salaries do not increase that
quickly. It takes 15 years of experience AND a master’s degree to earn $68,916 a year. Again, this is not
$80,000. To earn $80,000, a teacher would need to have taught for 20 years and have earned a master’s degree
PLUS an additional 50 graduate credit hours of education beyond a master’s. This is a feat few accomplish. The
average salary for Strongsville teachers is $64,540. This amount is reported by ODE for the 2011-12 school year.
For 2010-11, the average was $66,558. For 2009-10, the average was $67,610.

Are teachers paid while on strike?

No. Teachers are not paid while they are on strike. In addition, they receive no benefits from the district, which
means that many teachers and their families are currently without health insurance. Teachers have the option
of taking out strike loans however; they must be paid back in full within one year.

Are teachers willing to pay more for their health insurance?

Yes. Teachers are willing to pay more for health insurance. In fact, in the last contract, teachers agreed to $3
million in concessions. Much of this money was savings in the cost of health care to the district in the 2009-2010
and 2010-2012 contracts. Teachers agreed to a significant increase in their monthly health care contribution
and to increases in deductibles. (A teacher with a family plan paid an additional $1320 in the last contract.) In
the most recently proposed contract, the SEA has offered to pay 15 % of their health care coverage.

Is it true that teachers can never be fired?

No. Teachers can easily be fired for cause in Ohio. A common misconception is that people confuse termination
with the non-renewal of a contract. Termination is being fired for cause. Non-renewal simply means the district
no longer wants to renew your contract. Teachers in the state of Ohio earn a continuing contract after they have
taught a certain number of years, earned a master’s degree, and received favorable evaluations. Teachers on
continuing contracts can be fired; they are just guaranteed due process. Their contract is continuing so it does
not expire each year. This is commonly referred to as tenure. The SEA has been proactive in creating language
to allow for the removal of ineffective teachers with continuing contracts. Language in our latest proposal
allows the district to remove ineffective teachers more easily. Teachers on limited contracts can always be non-
renewed for performance as well.

Why is it important to protect teachers with seniority and experience?

Seniority means experience. Experience is important in the classroom. Experience allows teachers to have
more knowledge of pacing, classroom management, and curriculum development. Experienced teachers have
an easier time adapting to changing curriculum and student needs. The new evaluation system in Ohio makes it
easier for districts to dismiss teachers solely because they are expensive. Often, these expensive teachers are

*
the teachers with experience. With the exception of low-performing teachers who will be rated ineffective, all
other teachers in the state are expected to receive Ohio’s developing and proficient rating. The system prevents
virtually any teacher from being ranked as accomplished. Because these ratings will be based in part on zero
stakes testing that students may not take seriously, the teachers want to ensure that they are not unfairly
penalized for 50% of an evaluation that they have little control over. Some districts will use this ambiguity to
cut teachers based on their salaries rather than their performance. The SEA wants clear definitions of
comparable evaluations so that good teachers are protected and kept in the classrooms of children.

Are teachers asking for large raises?

Teachers are not asking for large raises and have not complained about their current pay. The latest proposal by
the SEA asks for a 0% increase in the base salary for the next three years. Teachers have asked to have their
salary adjustments for experience and education restored from 2011-2012 and maintained going forward. This
mostly affects teachers who are newer to the district, as many experienced teachers no longer receive these
adjustments. These are often referred to as step increases, and they are mandated for public school districts in
Ohio by the Ohio Revised Code (3317.13 Minimal Salary Schedule for Teachers) and are common practice in
other areas of the country. We have asked that teachers who do not get a step increase receive a stipend to
offset the fact that they have not received a raise in four years.

Have teachers been unwilling to compromise in light of the economic downturn?

Not at all. During the economic downturn, Strongsville teachers have made many concessions. During the last
two rounds of negotiations, the SEA spearheaded initiatives to save the district money and help keep it solvent.
Teachers gave back over $3 million to the district in the last two contracts through concessions in pay and
benefits. Carl Naso, in a Strongsville Patch article, even admitted that the teachers in the last contract saved the
district millions of dollars. Teachers agreed to a total salary freeze and step and educational column freezes,
and they agreed to pay significantly more for health insurance. Teachers also agreed to increase workloads,
requiring them to serve more students and to give up planning time to take on non-teaching duties such as
cafeteria duty and hallway supervision, under the promise that this would save the district on personnel costs,
which it did not.

Did the Board really renege on its promise to reduce OAPSE positions after teachers gave up planning time to
assume OAPSE duties?

Yes, it did. During the negotiations for the 2010-2012 contract, the Board assured teachers that if they gave up
conference and planning time to assume non-teaching duties performed by OAPSE, the Board would eliminate
excess positions in OAPSE as part of their plan to balance their books. In reality the Board failed to eliminate a
single OAPSE employee after the teachers gave up their planning time. This is one of the major sticking points in
the current negotiations, as the teachers feel this was a concession that was given on false pretences. It’s
something teachers would have never agreed to if we had known the Board was going to renege on their half of
the agreement. Worse, even though the Board admits they failed to follow through on their part of the
agreement, they are adamantly refusing to give the conference and planning time back, and it would cost them
nothing.

Are teachers paid for all extra-curricular activities?

Most clubs are advised by teacher volunteers and are unpaid.

Who pays for the additional education teachers pursue?

The state of Ohio requires teachers to take 6-credit hours every five years to renew an Ohio teaching license. All
of these hours, including any hours taken towards a master’s degree, are paid for by the teacher. They are not
reimbursed. Constantly changing state mandates require teachers to pursue additional education and training
at their own expense.

BARGAINING QUESTIONS
What is good faith bargaining?

Ohio Revised Code 4117.01 (G) defines collective bargaining and requires people engaged in collective
bargaining to bargain in good faith. When two parties engage in good faith bargaining, they agree to meet at
reasonable times and places to negotiate wages, hours, terms, and other conditions of employment. Parties
must be bargaining with the intention of reaching an agreement; however, collective bargaining does not mean
that either party is compelled to agree to a proposal or to make a concession.

Good faith bargaining involves both parties making their best effort to agree to an effective bargaining process
and to consider and respond to proposals made by each other. Collective bargaining requires that both parties
bargain in good faith. It is the law.

Has the SEA bargained in good faith?

Absolutely! The SEA has been bargaining with the Board since July in order to reach an agreement and avoid a
strike. During those nine months, the SEA has made tremendous movement at the table and has issued
numerous comprehensive counter proposals to all of the issues the Board has brought to the table. While we
have not reached agreement on all of the Board’s issues, we have tried to address them in good faith. In
contrast the Board has not addressed any of the items the SEA has in its proposal and has instead issued a Last
Best Offer to the SEA. Sadly, this “LBO” is a heads-I-win, tails-you-lose approach to bargaining as it addresses
ALL of the Board’s needs and NONE of the teacher’s issues.

Why did the SEA issue a 10-day strike notice?

The SEA engaged in bargaining for nine months with little success. While the SEA made movement in their own
proposals, sometimes countering their own counters, the Board made little to no movement. It was clear that
the Board was simply planning to drag negotiations out to eventually issue their Last Best Offer at a time of their
choosing. Filing a ten-day strike notice is a requirement that must be fulfilled with SERB in order to strike legally.
It is a last resort. We filed it based upon the fact that the Board was not bargaining in good faith and was simply
planning to issue a LBO sooner rather than later. That LBO was issued the day before our strike vote.

There's more but the rest of the paragraphs are too long to post on here

Waist of time union propanganda...................
Let the strike continue...

cry me a river Rich

Tracy Linscott is an idiot!

Thanks for the e-mail address Rich:

seacommunique@gmail.com

Hope every parent e-mails them to tell them how misguided they are and not to hurry back!!!

How cute. They have picket line captains. Thanks for that Rich. That explains why my household was spammed with an email with nothing but that attached SEA thing filled with lies and spins. Guess their chorus line captains chose to interpret the instructions differently. Whoops SEA. Nobody's doing what their supposed to be doing. But, keep thinking the rank and file are fighting the good fight for you. And, rank and file, if it were me, I wouldn't have pissed my friends, family and colleagues off by spamming them with political propoganda. Since the instructions (reading comprehension) were to TALK to one person, I would have said I did and left it at that.

Has the SEA called a meeting with all members since the strike vote? If I were a teacher, I would be demanding a mass meeting to discuss the offer on the table and the next move. I would also be leading the charge to oust Linscott!!!

Uh-oh, Mayor received negative publicity, plastered front and center, headline story of the front page of The Plain Dealer. "Mayor Fails...." Yeah, he's really not going to be happy about that one. That's the start of a bad Friday.

Union yes..... Try nursing as a profession then we can talk on how hard your job is as a teacher.... Do you teach "how to talk out of your ass" cuz that's all I have heard from you....."LOL" you and your striking teachers are "classless"!!!!!!!!!! And will NEVER have the communities respect EVER!!!!! Good luck finding a job when karma comes knocking!!!!!

For those who do not get The Plain Dealer, two points of note on that front page article:
1) The SEA is now suing the district for public information related to the costs of security and legal. But they also want the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the substitutes. Gee, what a great idea for them to get that information. I'm sure they just want that out of curiosity, and by no means to harass and bully the subs even more than they already have by invading the privacy of their homes.
2) This from Tad Colbeck, an OEA goon: "If the district has made enough money from the strike to settle the contract - if teachers have essentially financed the strike by week 3 - then why is this still going on?" Typical entitled union mentality. Now that you've saved money while we refused to work and tore this city apart and made it a national joke, just give us that money and we'll go back to work. Idiot.

I encourage everyone to write each BOE member and tell them that we don't want most of these teachers anywhere near our kids ever again. That regardless of the language in the final contract that is ultimately agreed to, we want a lot of teachers fired and told never to bother applying here in the future. This strike has revealed the true character of a lot of these thugs and it's scary to think that they've been entrusted with the education of children for as long as they have.

Get rid of the crap and get our education system back on track here in the U.S. A 2012 study of 15 year olds placed US students 23rd of the 65 nations studied in Science, and 31st of 65 in Math. Wake up people; our education system has been on a meteoric descent for the past 30 years!

Another tidbit in the PD, not about Strongsville but related:
"Chicago Public School officials say they will close 54 schools as part of a plan to address the district's $1 billion deficit." Gee, I wonder where that deficit came from? Could it be from the absurd pay and benefits given to the Chicago Public Teachers Union? If you recall, those clowns, stewards of one of the worst performing districts in the country, went on strike last year because they wanted a 7.5% annual raise, among other ridiculous demands. After two weeks, good old Rahm Emmanuel caved and gave them most of what they wanted. I suppose this makes him a hero to all public teachers' unions, since he "negotiated" a "fair contract". Too bad it just put the city in a $1 billion hole. Oops.

Oh, and guess who is one of the most vocal critics of the plan to close the schools - the Chicago Public Teachers Union. It's almost like there's no pleasing those people.

That's because we're so busy worrying about broadening our creative minds with our electives like art, drama, music and "new math," while we should be studying how the Chinese and Japanese do things and modeling from them. I love this new math, where the parents hacve to re-teach it at night or pay for tutors to teach it the old way. That's going to go down in history as an epic failure!

I got new for Tad, the BOE district doesn't "make money." That's my money and the residents of Strongsville's money that we provide through taxes. I do not want a single penny of it going to the SEA and at this point, the teacher's lack of discretion, judgment and professionalism inidcates to me that they should be replaced and/or earn less than what they earned before the strike.

JW, that's because they seriously do not comprehensld economics. They should eb required to take that as part of their continued educationm Like children, they think money grows on trees and their parent, the government, can just manufacture more. For claiming to be so educated, they really are simplistic. You would think that after the Big 3 auto industry fiasco, they would get it, but they still don't. Of course, I guess, what lesson did we learn there when the government did in fact bail those companies out?! The difference? The city doesn't get to manufacture money, borrow from China or operate on a $16+ trillion deficit. But we may as well be speaking Chinese at this point. Really, seriously, because this is too complex of a concept for them to conceptualize.

jw93, well said....100% agree. Very concerned what things look like when this does end. There is too much damage that has been done, it is impossible for some of them to return. I think about it every day, every night and every minute that we trusted these people with our children, which here in our community is our lives. Your children, my children--all the same,

Sometimes its like someone took a knife baby, edgy and dull, and cut a six inch valley through the middle of my skull. At night I wake up with the sheets soaking wet with a freight train running through the middle of my head,Im on fire. Yea, Im on fire.
Dont cave BOE, take this into summer. There will be a lot of sleepless summer nights for the punk bully teachers.
Tally hoe,
The voice of wisdom.

From the PD:
"Tad Colbeck, an Ohio Education Association representative working with the striking teachers, said it is unfair to characterize teacher raises in terms of millage it would cost taxpayers. He said districts have to raise taxes to cover all rising costs and Strongsville would need a new tax for day-to-day operations soon, even if teachers accepted the district's offer of no raises at all."

Wait what?! Never heard of the oh they will be short on cash anyway so pay us more argument...

Frazee caught in another lie... This guy just can't help himself.

March 6: Frazee acknowledged the strike saves the district money.
"It's true -- every week the teachers stay away, we reduce our spending," he said

March 21: Krupinski and Herrman balked at calling the lower cost of substitutes a savings.
"The security guards and everything else are eating it up," Krupinski said.

These guys are seriously clueless. Keep believing them boys and girls!!!

Unamazed (Teacher) Citzen:
I hear there is little support on the picket line today........
get off the patch and go and support you useless teachers union clause.

"He (Colbeck, the OEA rep)and Linscott said the district has made promises to seek levies in the past and to lay off non-teaching employees when teachers agreed to take over their duties, but has not followed through.". Quote taken from the PD article.

Solidarity, Union Brothers and sisters.

If the board caves in on the SEA demands, I will never vote for another levy again in my life here. The teachers seem to me to be biting the hand that feeds them so to speak...

@David... I'm sure they aren't "saving" money through this, but I know from my vantage point as a citizen and taxpayer, they certainly aren't wasting any money in taking this action to stand against the SEA.

I actually do hope the teachers enjoy their spring break from the action. Too bad this time it will be without pay... now there's a BIG savings!!!

Amazed: First, Krupiniski is the superintendent and probably isn't in day-to-day communication with the BOE. Second, I know I wouldn't have expected to need security since the "teachers" are allegedly professionals. I don't think it was foreseeable that the "teachers" would have behaved in such an abhorrent manner.

They were on my street yesterday, causing a safety issue and clogging up my entire street. They're rights do not trump mine. I don't need or desire the inconveneince they casue me and their interference with my RIGHT to quiet enjoyment of MY property.

They also want their step and column raises which they gave up for the 2011-12 school year restored, along with $2,000 longevity stipends this year and next year for more experienced teachers no longer receiving step raises for added experience

how is the $2000.00 not a raise ????

They don't need a carrot, they need the stick. How about more than three sick days and they get their pay reduced? How about that??? Now that's saving money. How about they pay for the sub on the days they are out?

TEACHERS, if you are on this site ask your leader why you can not see the "best and final offer" and vote on it privitely. Not like how you voted on the strike vote. where eveyone seen what you but down. you are being lead down a dangerous path. look outside the box.

The amazing part… these teachers have an average 2011 income of $ 64,753.12 according to Buckeye Institute. For a full working year like the rest of the real world, that would translate to $ 91,498.97 . These pathetic liberal teachers and union people that pray to their Obama God would be the first ones to scream and whine and call for the heads of the real workers if those salaries were the evil business owners or heaven forbid Wallstreet employees.

Take back the schools from this liberal garbage! Take back the city and move on! Hold your ground BOE…the SEA and their thugs can rot!!!!!

here is the link to the cleveland.com story

now the story is interesting enough but look at the posted comments
just as one sided and anti SEA as the patch
http://www.cleveland.com/metro/index.ssf/2013/03/strongsville_teachers_strike_w.html#incart_m-rpt-2

Hey teachers you better bundle up today on that picket line. If you need some larger orange vests to go over those big bodies and coats I can get you some. By the way, I see lunch time is coming up and since you do not want to pay for anything yourself better see if you can get some free food somewhere.

Hey teachers, today marks three weeks of no pay. Congrats! Although you all have had it so good over the past years it's not a big loss yet. Just wait till you lose your job.

the community is behind the teachers 100%, they come stand with us at our vigils, and thousands of residents have emailed Tracy with words of encouragement, the only people against the teachers getting what we deserve, is the few strongsville trash that stand against us, the BOE will cave soon ! and we will be back teaching your childern soon

Your right the community is behind you 100%. You forgot to mention that it is only 20% of the community.

Good Points About the Strike:
1. At least the teachers can get warm in their new Ford Mustangs and Ford Edge's in Staples parking lot.
2. I would like to thank the teachers because my husband is now working at the high school dealing with poorly behaved students. Yesterday someone broke all of the faucets in the men's restrooms. A girl in his class who loves to write her name all over the chalk boards during class informed my husband that her 'real teacher' gave her a box of chalk before she left so she could continue.
3. Everytime I pass by strikers on Pearl Road they make me feel great about our decision to send our kids to St. Jospeh & John where teachers make a whole lot less and care a whole lot more.

Does anybody know where a list of phone numbers and addresses for the striking teachers can be obtained?

the teachers proposal will only cost the average homeowner 80.00 for the first year and 120.00 for the next two years, that is NOT too much to ask for quality teachers

You're absolutely right Teacher And Proud, enrollment in private schools will continue to increase, enrollment in your worthless classes will continue to decline, thus making it even easier to get rid of you fools. All thanks to the most ridiculous strike ever to occur in American history. The private schools would like to thank you all. Their phones are ringing off the hooks.

Go to www.strongnet.org, select what school you want, and pull up the teachers directory. Here is a link (for example) to Albion Middle Schools staff directory:

http://www.strongnet.org/domain/332

Their old school e-mails and phone numbers are listed but you'll have to search the internet to try to find home phones and addresses (or police records).

Wow, spoken like a true extortionist. What was the amount you sold to us last time? And the time before? And the time before that? You're no different than those Jamaican scam companies that call and pray on the elderly, stealing their money. They keep coming back for more too. Please enlighten us all. How much total of our taxes, for the average household, goes to education? We know 85% of that amount goes to teachers' salaries/benefits. But, what is the average amount of property in Strongsville and of that amount, how much goes to education? Anyone?

*What is the average amount of property tax in Strongsville....*

1:50 pm and there is not one piece of crap ie striker at Kinsner. Enjoy your staycation since you have no paycheck

If you want a list of teachers names, phone numbers and addresses - how about asking the SEA for that info?
They shouldn't have a problem doing this since they have asked the courts to order the district to give them the subs names, phone numbers and addresses.
If they think its appropriate to give this info out, I'm sure they would gladly give out their own members same info.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kxc6kzH-uI

teacher and proud-
RE:"the teachers proposal will only cost the average homeowner 80.00 for the first year and 120.00 for the next two years, that is NOT too much to ask for quality teachers"

If you think that is what the community wants - get your fellow teachers together and go door to door and collect that $320 from each homeowner. Tell them why you are there asking for the money - because you only make an average of $71,000/year after adding in the paid for retirement contribution. I'm SURE everyone will feel sorry for you and donate to that worthy cause.
Don't forget to apologize for paying less towards your healthcare than they do and that you can retire years before them on much more than they ever will from SS - and you never had to pay a cent into that retirement for over the last 20 years.

Any problem with that idea?
That IS the same as coming to us with an increase in real estate taxes, but since you think the majority of the city is behind you - go plead your case and see what kind of reception and answer you'll get.
Don't be surprised at the number of doors that get slammed in your face.

teacher and proud

12:49 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013

and this will continue until the residents wake up and tell the board to approve our very fair contract
So what exactly are you saying here? That you're "proud" of the fact that the teachers of Strongsville have shamefully failed to instill a sense of self- discipline, self-control and respect in the students they proclaim to care so much about? Or is that the fault of the substitutes who have only just met these students? Give me a break. If the kids are unruly it's only because they are feeding off of your poor example----- or they were the trouble makers to begin with.

App for your smart phone called White Pages. It lets you search by name and city. Find the teachers name on school website and then plug into the app. It will give you home address and phone number

I am proud of the Strongsville teachers! Stay strong! I support you 100%. You are doing the right thing, SEA!

The woman that crossed was a guidance counselor, not a teacher.

Two questions:
When people from other unions make appearances in Strongsville to support the Tracy Troops, do they get paid? The teachers currently get time to prepare lessons during the school day. Are they monitored to insure they are earning their pay for lesson preparations?

I don't think many people in this thread realize just how much a teacher works. Yes, teachers have summers "off" and are only required to be in the school building for a total of 40 hours per week during the school year, but while most people's jobs end when they leave the building, a teacher's job continues for AT LEAST another 20 hours per week (grading, planning lessons and assignments, communicating with stakeholders, writing letters of recommendation for students, supervising extracurricular activities etc.). So, if the average Strongsville teacher works 60 hours per week for a total of 40 weeks and makes an average of $60,000, that's about $25 per hour, which is on par with other "professionals" in any field. And these are all "averages," which don't clearly represent reality. Some teachers make a lot less when they're just starting out, and as they gain experience, they make more. Isn't that the way it works in any profession? To say that teachers are already paid too much doesn't seem like a very substantial argument. And why should anyone who works hard in his/her profession be demonized for wanting fair compensation?

Nowadays, all of us have more than enough work. I dont stop people in Marcs to bitch about it. Fair is the operative word here... Is it fair that we have to pay their retirement? Shame on the board that let that one creep in. So, we have decided that is not fair and refuse to pay it anymore.

I don't work in Strongsville.

And I didn't realize that there was a time limit on bitching.

While we all take for granted the fact that we're only judged on our merit, that thinking is exactly what led to union protection in the first place. My father worked very loyally and productively for a private company for many years and was then told that the company couldn't afford him anymore, before he was ready to retire. This is what teachers need seniority for. Do you really think that the board wouldn't eliminate tenured teachers and offer their positions to younger teachers for the sake of saving the district money, especially since they say they have so little to spend?

And where are these teachers supposed to find new jobs? Certainly not in public education, which is, apparently, the devil's playground. What do you propose? Disbanding public education, a system upon which our country (and countries across the world) have been built?