Teachers' Union Criticizes Cost of Keeping Schools Open During Strike

The Strongsville Education Association says the Strongsville school district is paying an "outrageous price" to keep the schools open during the four-week-old teachers' strike.

The teachers' union, which earlier this week won a court order to have the district turn over all financial documents related to the strike, said in a news release that the district paid $1.113 million to keep the schools open during the first two weeks of the strike, including fees to Huffmaster Inc., a security firm that provides strike managment, and wages to substitute teachers.

The SEA estimates the cost over the four weeks of the strike at $1.86 million.

"Invoices from Huffmaster detail the outrageous price the Board insisted on paying in order to keep schools open through the end of the second week," the SEA said in an email.

Superintendent John Krupinski could not be reached for comment.

School Treasurer Deborah Herrmann has said teachers' salaries and benefits cost the district roughly $1 million a week. The teachers are not being paid or receiving benefits during the strike.

According to the SEA, Huffmaster expenses include providing security officers at school buildings ($171,000 for the first two weeks), videographers ($45,000), lodging ($87,000), flights for employees ($50,000) and rental vehicles ($47,000).

The cost of substitutes was $340,000 for the first two weeks and is estimated by the SEA at $550,000 for the first full month of the strike.

The figures don't include legal fees incurred by the district during negotiations and strike-related issues.

To see the invoices and documents on SEA's website, click here.

Recent Stories:

Students Trickle Out of District During Strike

'No Progress' After 11-Hour Negotiating Session

Teachers Union Files 3rd Unfair Labor Charge Against School Board

Strongsville Teachers' Strike Week 4: No End in Sight?

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

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