School Board Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Against Teachers' Union

The Strongsville Board of Education has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the Strongsville Education Association for its members' actions at a negotiating session Feb. 25.

School officials allege about 100 teachers protesting outside the negotiating session in Independence formed a human barricade to prevent the negotiating team from leaving.

A news release from Board President David Frazee said "an angry mob of SEA members confronted the SCS negotiation team while they walked to their vehicles, physically barricaded themselves to prevent them from leaving, pounded on vehicles and jumped on the hood of a BOE designated bargaining representative’s vehicle."

Some SEA members also forced their way into the building, chanting loudly and disrupting the negotiating session, it says.

SEA President Tracy Linscott released a statement that said "instead of bargaining in good faith, the Board is relying on lies and half-truths truths to advance their anti-teacher agenda."

Teachers are set to strike on Monday unless a contract agreement is reached on Saturday.

Letter to Parents

On Friday, teachers throughtout the district distributed a letter to students to take home to their families. 

The letter (attached to this story as a PDF), says, in part, "If the school remains open during the work stoppage, I don't know who will fill my position, but I am very concerned. I'm sure that you are also concerned."

It then urges parents to contact school board members with a series of questions, including:

How will the replacements be able to identify an intruder? Have they had the recent Active Shooter training sessions?

How with the replacements handle the upcoming AP tests?

Who is conducting criminal background checks on prospective substitutes and how long will they take?

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