Schools

Teachers' Union Won't Vote on Strongsville School Board's Offer

SEA made counter-offer instead, president says

 

The Strongsville teachers' union won't put the School Board's newest contract offer to a vote of its members.

"No, we won't, because we gave them a counter-proposal," said Tracy Linscott, president of the Strongsville Education Association. "That's how it works."

Find out what's happening in Strongsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The board's newest offer, which came during a negotiating session April 14, was the first movement from its "last best offer" and offered some concessions to striking teachers.

But Linscott said the SEA has already made a counter-proposal, which leaves the ball in the School Board's court.

Find out what's happening in Strongsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's up to them to do something now," she said.

The two sides have called on the other to take steps to end the strike, which is nearly seven weeks old. 

On April 9, the School Board called on the SEA to allow its 383 members which the union initially rejected on March 3.

The SEA wants the board to agree to binding arbitration, saying teachers will return to their classrooms immediately while the contract is worked out.

Linscott Won't Be at Board Meeting

Linscott said this week she does not plan to attend the School Board meeting Thursday, April 18, in order to leave the session open to parents who have questions about the strike.

"This is the first time parents have had an open forum to get answers," she said.

The board canceled both meetings in March and the first one in April due to concerns over disruptions and security.

Only SEA members who have children in the Strongsville schools will go into the meeting, Linscott said. 

The rest will gather on Lunn Road for a protest that will not disrupt the meeting, which has been moved to the Strongsville High School auditorium to accommodate the expected crowd.

"I am not going into the meeting," Linscott said. "Parents are frustrated they're not getting their questions answered."

Blood Drive Set

The SEA will have a blood drive on Friday, April 19 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades hall, 8257 Dow Circle in Strongsville.

Recent Stories:

School Board Makes New Offer to Teachers; Union Counters

Schools Get Unexpected Money; Will Use it To Reduce Costs for Students

Teachers Strike Roundtable Canceled Due to Public Safety Issues

Teachers Union Seeks to Divide Strongsville School Board

City Council Supports Students; Teachers Union Condemns School Board

Teachers Union Won't Bring 'Last Best Offer' to a Vote

School Board Wants Teachers to Vote on Last Best Offer

Strongsville Teachers Cross Picket Line

Video of Substitute Teacher is Making Waves

Protests Continue at School Board Members' Homes

How Much is Teachers' Strike Costing Police Department?

Union Says Strongsville Teachers' Salaries Aren't Out of Line

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

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

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


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Strongsville