Teachers' Strike Cost Strongsville Thousands in Police Overtime

The eight-week teachers' strike in Strongsville cost the city $275,100 in police overtime and benefits.

City Council Monday night transfered $231,800 into the police department's account to cover the salaries of officers stationed outside schools, meetings and school board members' homes during the eight-week strike, and another $43,300 in to the police pension fund.

"That's a lot of potholes," Councilman at large Duke Southworth commented during a committee meeting Monday night.

"It was a huge inconvenience to the taxpayers of the community," Mayor Tom Perciak replied. "But we're sworn to provide safety, and that's what we're going to do."

The in police overtime, Finance Director Joe Dubovec said a month ago.

Teachers stepped up their picketing in the final weeks of the strike, gathering in front of school officials' houses in both the day and the evenings. Police officers patrolled at the homes to watch the picketers.

Police officers were also stationed at every school building on school days for security detail.

Dubovec said other strike costs -- like loss of income tax revenue from teachers' salaries -- are still being calculated. He said Strongsville typically receives $72,000 to $75,000 a month in income tax from the school district.

And while teachers' salaries make up a good portion of that, he said other employees -- substitutes and security guards -- were getting paid and will contribute city income tax, so the loss to the city isn't yet known.

Councilman at large Joe DeMio commended the police department on its handling of the strike, and also the city for having enough money set aside to cover the unexpected overtime expense.

Perciak said the officers kept the public safe and traffic flowing around Center Middle School and Strongsville High School, where picketing was heaviest.

"I believe because of their presence, there just wasn't any major incident whatsoever," Perciak said. "Not for a single minute was safety compromised anywhere in our city."

Mark Donnelly, business manager for the Strongsville schools, also added his appreciation to the city and police department.

"I went through the picket line every day -- thank you," he said.

Dubovec said police officers are paid time-and-a-half for working overtime. Nearly 40 police officers were on a rotating overtime schedule for the strike.