More Students Leave Strongsville Schools; Only a Handful Opt Out of Tests

A total of 62 students have now left the Strongsville Schools since a teachers strike started March 4.

Assistant Superintendent Cameron Ryba said Wednesday that 62 pupils had withdrawn from the public schools, but were not moving out of the district, indicating they would be attending a private school.

Meanwhile, while a controversy raged this week about whether the teachers' union was encouraging parents to exempt their children from taking Ohio Achievement Assessment tests, the upshot was inconsequential.

Ryba said nine parents submitted letters exempting their students from taking the state tests.

The Board of Education this week accused the Strongsville Education Association of running a campaign aimed at keeping 3rd- through 8th-graders from taking the tests as a way of hurting the district's statewide ratings.

The board filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge over the matter.

The SEA vehemently denied the allegation, saying kids are not being properly educated by substitute teachers and should not have to take tests they are not prepared for.

SEA President Tracy Linscott called on Board President David Frazee to contact the Ohio Department of Education to investigate the schools "and the education this board has provided over the past two months."

The tests are being administered this week and next, Ryba said.

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

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