Exploratory meeting in Strongsville teachers' strike

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio - A second exploratory meeting was held Monday night in regard to the Strongsville teachers' strike.  However, both sides emerged saying no new talks are scheduled.

The meeting between Strongsville School Superintendent John Krupinski and Strongsville Education Association President Tracy Linscott was called by the federal mediator.

A representative of the school board and state teachers' union were also present.

The meeting, which began at 7 p.m. at the mediator's office in Independence, lasted more than three hours. 

Linscott arrived at the meeting saying she wasn't very optimistic about the outcome.

"The whole point of the meeting is to call a meeting to see if they're willing to bargain," she said. "So at this time we have not heard from them. They've had our counter-proposal since March 2 to their last best offer and we still have not heard anything in response."

A similar meeting last week produced no movement toward a resumption in contract talks.

Strongsville teachers have been on strike since March 4.