Strongsville Teachers' Union Launches Website

The Strongsville Education Association has created a website that provides the teachers' position on on-going contract negotiations.

The site tracks the union's journey through the process and explains what teachers are looking for when they say they want "a fair and equitable" contract:

• Enough time in the school day to plan lessons, meet one-on-one with students, grade papers, respond to parents' questions and handle other duties.

• Manageable class sizes.

• Keeping art, music and physical education classes intact at the elementary schools.

• The ability to attract and retain quality teachers.

• Respect as valued professionals.

The site also recounts seven negotiating sessions between July 9 and Jan. 29, noting "No Progress" after each.

On Jan. 30, SEA declared an impasse, meaning future sessions will include a mediator. 

The last talks were on Feb. 6. "SEA submits another proposal to be met with superficial and cosmetic response," the website says.

Another round of negotiations is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 14.

Groups of about 300 teachers have shown up twice at School Board meetings, first filing in and standing silently, and the second time chanting outside. The teachers also stood outside the Jan. 29 negotiating session at Polaris Career Center.

The SEA has also made its first public statement, entering a comment on Strongsville Patch's Feb. 7 story on the second protest.  

The SEA also has a Facebook page.