AKRON, Ohio — For weeks, Akron Public Schools teachers have been preparing for a strike.

What You Need To Know

  • For weeks, Akron Public Schools Board of Education and the Akron Education Association (AEA) have been negotiating a new contract

  • AEA, which represents the Akron teachers, cites security as a major sticking point

  • Teachers plan to begin picketing on Jan. 9 if progress isn't made

  • Parents echo the same message as teachers, worrying for student safety as well

The Akron Education Association (AEA), the union representing teachers, cites teacher safety in school buildings as a major concern.

It's something Akron resident Jenna Phillips is also worried about.

“I’m a little bit nervous to send my kids to Akron,” Philips said.

She and her wife have two young daughters, who are not yet old enough to attend school.

“Me and my wife, we've actually talked about sending them to a different district or possibly home-schooling them,” said Philips. 

This is a feeling that is also echoed by Cheryl Hopkins, who has a son who is a senior at Firestone High School.

“If it's not safe enough for my son, it's certainly not safe enough for those teachers,” said Hopkins.

Hopkins said she refuses to put her son though virtual learning. 

“If the strike happens after midnight tonight, I will join the teachers on the picket line,” she said. “I'm hopeful that the board and the AEA will come to an agreement today before the strike. If that doesn't happen, we won't be going online as a family this week. We won't be crossing any virtual picket line.”