City Council Supports Students; Teachers' Union Condemns School Board

About 100 teachers, students and parents jammed City Council chambers Tuesday evening to hear elected officials formally express support for students caught in the middle of the ongoing Strongsville teachers' strike.

In the meeting, which lasted only a few minutes and did not allow public comment, council voted 7-0 on a resolution supporting the students of the district. 

The measure calls the strike "a crippling and divisive work stoppage" that has "harmed and continues to harm the students of the district by impacting on their ability to receive a quality education."

The resolution originally said the strike has "irreparably" harmed the students, but council amended it just before voting to remove that word.

Teachers' Union Blasts Board

The Strongsville Education Association on Tuesday applauded Mayor Tom Perciak for the city's resolution, but condemned the School Board's "decision to prolong the ongoing teachers' strike."

"Had the Board accepted last week’s offer of binding interest arbitration, today would have been day 5 of teachers being back in the classroom," SEA President Tracy Linscott said in a news release. "It’s time for them to accept our arbitration offer and bring an end this strike today for the benefit of our kids and our community.” 

In the release, the SEA criticized the School Board for canceling its last three meetings and for standing firm on its last best offer in contract talks.

Linscott called School Board President David Frazee's request for teachers to vote again on the last best offer "just another stall tactic and cheap diversion."

Frazee on Monday night asked the SEA to bring the School Board's contract proposal back to its membership for another vote.

The SEA said it will not seek another vote on the last best offer from the board.

With no arbitration or negotiating sessions scheduled, "waiting for teachers to cross the picket lines seems to be the extent of the board’s plan," the SEA said.

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

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