Vandals shatter glass at NEOEA, when Strongsville bargaining sessions were scheduled to be held

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio - The Strongsville teacher strike is now making news in another Cleveland suburb.

According to the North Eastern Ohio Education Association, someone threw a chunk of asphalt through its front main entrance doors in Garfield Heights between 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Saturday, when the Strongsville BOE and SEA were supposed to be in a bargaining session.

The Strongsville Board of Education did not show up to the meeting.

According to Bill Lavezzi with NEOEA, the event turned ugly and that's when an unknown person threw the chunk of asphalt through the front doors.

"We have never before experienced vandalism at our office in connection with area teacher strikes. Management and union representatives have met here comfortably and safely for years. However, we have heard reports of intimidation tactics being used against the Strongsville teachers, and we doubt that the timing of this incident was a coincidence" said Lavezzi.

Cleaning crews arrived at the NEOEA -- located at 5422 E.96th Street off Granger Road in Garfield Heights -- around 7:15 p.m. and found the mess of shattered glass.