Strongsville schools plan for possible teachers' strike

STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - Strongsville City Schools are planning for a possible teachers' strike.

The Strongsville Education Association submitted a 10-day strike notice to the Strongsville Board of Education and the State Employment Relations Board on Thursday, meaning a strike could begin on March 4.

"The board and I are extremely disappointed that the teachers' union has decided to take this action," Superintendent John Krupinski said in a news release. "We are still in negotiations and hope that a strike can be averted."

However, if a strike should occur, Krupinski plans to keep the schools open.

"We have started the process to make a smooth and orderly transition to a substitute teaching team."

"Anytime you're bargaining, there's going to be working conditions. There's going to be health care. There's going to be salary issues. But for us the biggest issue is definitely our working conditions and the kids' learning conditions," said Strongsville Education Association President Tracy Linscott.

Linscott said teachers need more contact time and more time to work with students individually.

The teachers attended the school board meeting Thursday night wearing black. Negotiations will resume Friday morning.