Schools

Strongsville Schools 'Preparing' for Teacher Strike

Superintendent Krupinski says district has to be ready, just in case

 

The Strongsville school district has started taking steps to react if teachers go on strike.

"It would be irresponsible if we didn't prepare for that," Superintendent John Krupinski said.

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Krupinski declined to discuss what those steps are and stopped short of saying the district is lining up substitute teachers to fill in, but said the threat of a strike is being addressed.

"Preparation is the key word," he said. "But we still want to continue to bargain, to seek an agreement."

Find out what's happening in Strongsvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Strongsville Education Association, unhappy with ongoing contract negotiations, voted Friday to authorize a strike.

The vote gives the union the power to call a strike if its 350 members decide to.

On Thursday, the union will hold a press conference to talk about strike plans.

Teachers have made no secret of their displeasure with the contract talks, showing up by the hundreds to the last two school board meetings.

At the first, they stood silently; at the second, they held signs and chanted.

The teachers' union has also launched a website. After a Jan. 30 negotiating session, the SEA declared an impasse and brought in a mediator to attend future sessions. 

Krupinski said the fact that the district is getting ready to meet a strike doesn't mean he expects one.

"Hopefully, we'll move forward and continue with negotiations," he said. 


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