AKRON, Ohio — For the first time since January 1989, teachers at Akron Public Schools are preparing to strike.
What You Need To Know
- The union that represents Akron teachers said teachers security is a major sticking point
- Union and Aklron Board of Education have federal mediation sessions planned for Thursday and Saturday
- Teachers plan to begin picketing on Jan. 9 if progress isn't made
Pat Shipe, president of the Akron Education Association, the union that represents Akron teachers, said the district is not hearing their concerns over teacher safety in school buildings.
“It has been out of control, it has been chaos, and our teachers are not staying silent any longer,” said Shipe. “On average, this school year we have a teacher assaulted each day in Akron Public Schools.”
The union filed a strike and picket notice on Dec. 29, telling its members to be ready to strike at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 9.
“It is our belief that the board has never really come to the table in a serious manner,” Shipe said. “They continue to not answer our public records request, and in the last federal mediation session when we asked very simple, clarifying questions, their response was we are not going to answer your questions.”
AEA and the Akron Board of Education have two more federal mediation sessions planned for Thursday and Saturday.
If the board and union can not come to an agreement by then, teachers will go on strike Monday.
At that time, students would be expected to attend online classes.
“Nobody wants to strike. Our teachers would rather be in the classroom teaching, but it needs to be in a safe classroom,” Shipe said. “We have got to draw the line someplace and safety and security is an absolutely overwhelming issue that we cannot stay silent on any longer.”
According to the district's website, breakfast and lunch will still be available for pick up for students during the strike.
The district will have a limited number of seats at student support center locations for families that need last-resort child care options.
One big change, however, is that there will be no sports during the strike.
If the union does not feel that federal mediation is progressing, it will release a list of locations where picket lines will be set up.