Strongsville Board of Education, education association unsuccessfully meet on St. Patrick's Day

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - Strongsville teachers and the union met with a federal mediator behind closed doors Sunday, but after more than four hours of talks, no agreement was reached.

The meeting began at 1 p.m. at the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service regional office in Independence.

After 5 p.m., striking teachers were seen leaving the building.

The Strongsville Board of Education was looking for a counter proposal to their last best offer, but didn't get one. It means teachers will continue picketing on Monday morning.

No new talks are scheduled.

Sunday marked the first time the sides entered talks with negotiation teams.

"We will continue to keep the community informed as the mediation process continues," said David Frazee, president of the BOE.

Strongsville Education Association (SEA) president Tracy Linscott earlier said she felt the meeting was called out of frustration by the mediator.

"The board is saying they want to bargain, but there’s no bargaining going on because their team can’t make a decision without the board approving it....I feel we cannot trust our Board of Education...We are telling the truth."

Strongsville teachers have been on strike since March 4.