Banning Substitutes is Wrong, School Board President Says

A decision by Strongsville City School administrators to keep substitutes who filled in during the two-month teachers strike from working in the district was made without the blessing of the School Board.

"This was a complete surprise me and a polar opposite mindset to the philosophy of the board," School Board President David Frazee said in a statement. "This is not the way these substitutes who sacrificed so much for this city, our students and this district should ever be treated."

Strongsville Patch reported Wednesday that substitute teachers who took over classrooms during the two-month teachers strike in March and April received letters saying the district will not use them as substitutes during the 2013-14 school year.

One substitute called it "a kick in the teeth" after enduring jeers and disrespect from the striking teachers, especially as they applied for the substitute jobs March 3.

Assistant Superintendent Cameron Ryba said administrators felt it was "in the best interests of our district moving forward to not use substitutes who were here during the strike."

Ryba did not offer a further explanation. He added that only four of the subs who worked during the strike sought to continue to substitute here during the new school year.

But Frazee said the board is still in the middle of a legal battle aimed at preventing the release of personal information about the individuals who substituted during the strike, and the decision "flies in the face of what the board feels is ethically the right thing to do."

Frazee said he spoke with Superintendent John Krupinski, who said he would meet with Ryba Thursday morning and update the board on the matter. 

Frazee also raised concerns about the legal implications of hiring substitutes not on merit, but on whether they worked here during the strike.

"The strike is behind us, and we have to heal, and move on, and whether a person substituted during the strike or not should have absolutely no bearing on working as a substitute now," Frazee said.