No Talks Set in Teachers' Strike; Sides Still Far Apart

A meeting Wednesday night between key players in the Strongsville teachers' union and Board of Education failed to bring the sides closer to an agreement.

With the talks apparently at an impasse, no new negotiations have been set.

"Based upon these discussions there is no basis for the mediator to convene the negotiation teams at this time," the school district said in a news release.  "The parties remain substantially divided on key issues."

Superintendent John Krupinski and the district's attorney met with Strongsville Education Association President Tracy Linscott and a representative of the state teachers' union at a federal mediator's office Wednesday evening to explore how to proceed.

"No further mediation sessions were scheduled" as a result of the meeting, the release said.

The strike, in its fourth day, was called by the SEA after nine months of contract talks did not produce an agreement.

Mayor Tom Perciak Monday called for a negotiating session to be set within 48 hours, saying the strike was affecting the entire community.

There was hope Wednesday that after three days of substitutes in the classrooms and teachers on picket lines, the meeting would lead to a new round of contract talks.

Related stories:

Teachers' Strike Day 1: Picket Lines in Strongsville

Strongsville Teachers Vote to Strike

A Few Teachers Cross Picket Line; One Teacher Says She was Hit By Car

Strongsville Teachers Shout at Subs as They Apply to Replace Them

Strongsville Teachers Won't Honor Subs' Grades During Strike

School Board Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Teachers' Union

Teachers' Union Criticizes School Board for Truancy Policy

200 Subs Now in Strongsville Schools

Picketer Arrested for Blocking Driveway

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