Mr. Zenir: Please don’t assume that I support the board and because I have read propaganda or have been brain washed. I support the board because I am a smart business person in this community and I have objectively looked at the facts. The teachers are being unreasonable. Go ahead and strike. I think you will be surprised at how many people have stayed publically quiet and are privately supporting the board.

Just wondering, what is it about the teacher's proposal that is unreasonable. Not being combative, just trying to understand.

They took/were given a 6% increase two contracts ago when most people were losing their jobs or taking pay cuts. They have had a freeze since then. Now they are demanding a pay increase. I undertand they have offered to take a freeze but there is actually a hidden increase based on the new step system. It burns me to no end they will not pay more for insurance and have a Cadillac insurance plan. We can probably solve this pretty quickly by giving them an increase and letting them use Obamacare instead of their Cadillac plan.

What some people are failing to understand is that it goes way beyond salary and insurance. There are items that deal with student interaction and so forth that would severely limit and/or cut time with students.

I understand there are special education issues being ironed out. Can you be more specific for the other students using the current contract, proposed board contract and union contract?

Teacher planning time is to be cut in half from 400 minutes per week to 200 minutes per week. This is time where I pulled students in to work one on one, reteach, and extend the curriculum, I use my own time, yes my own time to plan, grade assignments,correspond with others, and send out weekly emails to the parents of my students, to keep them abreast. I do not mind doing the above on my own time because I love my job, but I do mind having time to work with my students cut. if I lose this time the students will lose out.

Jennifer, thank you and I appreciate that example. Can you tell me the general feeling among teacher on how they feel the budget can be met by the current board? Clearly a tax increase is not going to happen in the near future. How can the board meet it's short and long term obligations if the teachers do not take a pay cut, pay more for insurance and/or work longer days? I do appreciate the productive conversation.

I wish the union would elaborate on how they feel this contract will adversely affect the students. I just thoroughly read the Board's proposal and did not see anything that would affect students. Mr. Zenir was correct is saying this is all about money but he is disingenuous when he said the Board is the only entity concerned about money. In looking at the proposal it is clear the union's main hang ups are the changes in their mandatory work days, decreased planning time, moderation in raises, and elimination of senority for lay-offs and recall from lay-offs. These changes are significant and I really do understand how big of a pill this would be for the union to swallow. What the union does not seem to understand, however, is the pay raise scales and health benefits are still substantially better than what is available to the employees at my hospital. The parents of this school district shoulder a substantial burden for our students in the property taxes we pay and the full funding of our children to participate in extra-curricular activities. The parents also treat their teachers very well, the PSO is very generous with their time. The parents in Brecksville are highy educated people and the Board's proposal is a relatively easy read so I think the union needs to really think long and hard about striking beacuse they may not get the sympathy they are expecting from the parents if they strike. That said I really would like to hear the SPECIFIC objections from the union.

James,I believe you are correct in that the union is most upset about changes in working conditions becuase of the negative effect it will have on students. As Jennifer said, we use that time during the day to work with students one on one as well as to collaborate with teachers to fine tune lessons and share best practices. We work from home evenings and weekends grading, doing more lesson planning, and over the summers improving curriculum and continuing our education. Taking away planning time limits my ability to best help my students succeed in an environment that already has increased my class sizes and moved me from teaching 5 to teaching 6 classes. In these rough economic times we are willing and have already made concessions regarding pay and insurance, however, we cannot, as responsible educators, accept working conditions that impede us from doing the quality job we long to do with your children. I have taught in other districts. The quality of teacher you have here is special. It is a joy to work with colleagues who are as devoted as I am and who share the same strong work ethic. You do not get that everywhere. And to assume there are plenty of other quality teachers longing to come here to teach would have been correct a few years ago. But this district will no longer attract quality teachers if the work environment changes so negatively. In fact, it has already lost a few of our most outstanding teachers because of this.

Kate B. I am going to briefly answer your questions with my thoughts. Please don't take my being brief as abrupt because that is not what is intended. I am assuming that if teachers are working longer days the district will overall need fewer teachers which will save the district money. Many professionals work on work projects during evenings at home so it is difficult for me to understand this argument, especially when teachers work just over 180 days a year. In this economy, all bets are off for job security in all industries. This is magnified by how the State of Ohio figures their educational funding. Please do not feel like district teachers are being targeted. For me it is just a matter of getting the budget in without a tax increase.

This is frightening. The board needs to think twice about what they are doing. We fully support the teachers. Why is the board trying to hurt students in order to make political points? They are hurting the schools. That is going to hurt the value of my property, and that makes me quite angry.

Mark B. I have read the proposals side by side. I am educated on the issues. I have a Masters that I earned on my own time and was not reimbursed by my employer. In fact my salary didn't change. I regularly do work for my company in the evenings so that I am better prepared for meetings the next day. Weekly this work at home can be quite significant. This is fairly typical for salaried professionals. This argument is difficult for me to understand for a profession that works a little more than 180 days a year. As for the quality of education. You would be shocked at how many parents are privately hiring tutors and learning centers to supplement the district's education. I believe this is why the scores are so good in certain grade years. Parents get to a point where they realize the district is failing in education and they have to supplement so that the kids excel in high school.

I am 100% sure that any teacher willing to post and talk openly on sites like this are the "best of the best". You are engaged and want change for the better. Today I have seen no attacks, just good discussion that will hopefully open eyes on both sides of the issue. I mean this sincerely. I know for myself I have been educated on the issue of prep time and how it is really used.

How can a teacher double their salary in 7 years working in the same school and doing exactly the same thing. I don't think people in the private sector have been receiving these % of raises in this economy. Here's an example. These figures have been confirmed from the Treasurer:
FY04 - $43,989 (MA+9, Step 4)
FY05 - $50,468 (MA+30, Step 5)
FY06 - $56,590 (MA+42, Step 6)
FY07 - $61,347 (MA+42, Step 7)
FY08 - $66,487 (MA+42, Step 8)
FY09 - $71,904 (MA+42, Step 9)
FY10 - $77,762 (MA+42, Step 10)
FY11 - $81,653 (MA+42, Step 11)

In the private sector a "pay freeze" means "no change in pay" for that number of years. You have very clearly shown that for teachers it means a "pay freeze" isn't really a freeze at all. They still get a raise year to year.

A few people have mentioned reading each of the proposals. Can someone provide a link to an electronic copy of these documents? Thanks.

Part of the reason Brecksville is such a great community is because they have been financially responsible in the past. The two things I see the teachers union driving us toward that bring down any organization are: 1- Debt/Overspending and 2- An arrogant/entitled attitude. The strike may allow Brecksville to reset their compensation package to a more reasonable package by getting a new group of eager, enthusiastic teachers that do not have a sense of entitlement. I feel that costs can be reduced substantially, while still keeping the new teachers very happy with reasonable compensation. There are a lot of teachers that would love to come and work for the district and walk in with gratitude and an eager desire to give back and prove themselves, versus an attitude of entitlement as if the district “owes” them. The teachers union’s scare tactics and use of the students as pawns is offensive. Personally I do not want my kids to be taught to act this way.

The teachers are paid extremely high for working 63% of the number of hours that the private sector worker has to work (2,080 hours vs. 1,320 for a teacher). Many of the teachers I know that teach in the district live in $300,000+ homes, drive very nice cars and enjoy nice summer vacations. If both adults in the household worked as teachers they would bring in around $160,000 per year on average, have 3 months in the summer off, pay hardly anything for health care and are virtually guaranteed a very high retirement income. Let’s be real, the teachers only reason for rejecting the contract is about pay and benefits. If the teachers were grossly underpaid and really struggling to make ends meet I could see a case for their argument, but this is hardly the case.

James, that is simply not true. The teachers are not arrogant or entitled. Most of do not live in the district as we could not afford it. It is hurtful to be characterized as so when we put so much heart into our jobs with your children. There is no reason to attack in that manner.

Judy-

My household income is less than that of the average teachers salary, but I am able to afford to live here.

I see you are intent on picking out the most unimportant aspects of the conversation and have no interest in considering the main points of the teacher's point of view and so I will remove myself from this conversation. Thank you to those willing to engage in "good discussion" as Lenore put it.

Teachers never seem to have an answer to the question: Why should you make more on average, and have much better benefits than those that pay your salary?

I have no sympathy for these greedy teachers and their thuggish union. If they don't want to do their jobs on these generous terms, by all means, hire some young, energetic folks that are scrapping for jobs.

WOW!!! The teachers in our district are able to live comfortably. This MUST be stopped! If two are married they might make even more money and that is just unfair! Does anyone realize how ridiculous your arguments sound? Take a look at the proposals and form an educated opinion instead of bashing our teachers - it helps no one.

Colleen B,
advocating "for" the taxpayer is not automatically "bashing teachers". There is a responsible middle ground somewhere and striking, in my opinion, is not the way to find it.

How can everyone be so against the schools/teachers..why did you choose to live in Brecksville? The community is rated high for a reason and the schools are one of those reasons. Good luck selling your homes when Brecksville is no longer a top rated district.

I am so tired of being made out to be a greedy, selfless teacher. I have always wanted to be a teacher since I was in Kindergarten and had a teacher who inspired me to be my best. I went to college to get my teaching degree, not because it was easy, but because it was my dream. I drive a 1993 used Toyota Corolla, I live in a $150,00 house in Seven Hills, and my children attend the public schools.

I teach because I love it not because I am going to get rich from it. I put my heart and soul into what I do because of my students- YES THE STUDENTS. My students become a part of me the year I have them and always remain a part of me. I am a good teacher, and I am tired of being made out to be a villain.

Jennifer, I do not look at you as a villian. I give that to the union officials and leaders. Unions were formed years ago for unsafe and unfair working conditions. I have a problem seeing how that applies to teachers in our district. If I had my way I would bust the union and operate the district like a business. Evaluate and promote based on performace. Pay based on national averages. Just my opinion.

Jennifer-
I think the comments made regading the teachers being greedy were only directed at the teachers that voted to strike, which was only 99.5%. The comments were not directed at the 0.5% that voted not to strike.

Jen H.
First of all the teachers did not vote to strike, they voted to authorize a strike in the event that then BOE continues to refuse to negotiate. What people need to be asking is WHY the board is unwilling to negotiate. We've talked about the proposals but just as in buying a house or car, there is usually a back and forth, give and and take approach. Offers are made, they are discussed, counter offers are made and so on. It is my understanding that this BOE has refused to negotiate with the teachers. I ask why? Sounds to me lie a political agenda. It has been mentioned before, but school funding in Ohio has been found to be unconstitutional for 15 + years relying heavily on property taxes. The BBCSD has not asked for a new money levy (before 2009) since 2004. The district has remained Excellent and has continued to provide a sound educations for it's students with less and less. I think the teachers understand that there needs to be "shared sacrifice" as some of the new board members put it, but funding the education of a community's kids cannot rest only on the back of the teachers. The community also must share in the responsibility. Unfortunately, since school funding in Ohio is the way it is, the districts must rely on taxes to help, especially in a political climate where the state has taken even more money away while it continues to create mandates the schools cannot afford.

What we have seen is two initial proposals and nothing more. People are bad-mouthing the teachers calling them greedy, union thugs and so on possibly without knowing all the facts. Those making these comments are not present in the room when these "negotiations" (or lack there of) are taking place. On another thread here, Scott Nolan asked some very good questions of Dave Tryon. I would like to see those questions answered---but NOTHING! When a BOE contacts a strike firm in the very beginning stages of negotiations that tells me they had no intention of negotiating. People need to start attending these meetings and asking these questions of the BOE. Ask them why they are unwilling to negotiate. Ask them why, if fiscal responsibility is there goal, they are spending such an outrageous amount of money on new attorneys and why administrators are not being asked to take pay cuts.

Could someone please answer a question for me, without attacking me?

Something doesn't make sense to me. People keep saying there has not been a new money levy since 2004. How can teacher salaries have increased so much since 2004, about doubled in many if not most cases? Does that mean funds were used for teachers rather than students; i.e, as the teachers received more, the students were denied?

Hello?
Anybody out there?
People have been on here talking in generalities, what about answering some specifics?
I'm asking to be educated on this, and to be corrected where I'm wrong.
As I see it, from the base year of 2004-05 to 2010-11, we are talking about $5million more spent on the teachers, plus the increase in healthcare costs. Where did that come from? How was that paid for, if not by taking from the kids?

I don't know whee the $5 million came from. The teachers didn't get an increase in 2011 but pretty sure the revised contract will give them a "double Increase" -- they will get what they didn't get in 2011 and then get what they are suppose to get in 2012. Bottomline, we are about our kids and our school system. However, taxpayers can't keep giving more money in tax dollars -- the money is just not there. The contract the Board is approve is very fair in these economic times. I'm a professional -- salaried employee. I average a MINIMUM of 9 hours of work a DAY in the office -- there is not planning time for me. I work 12 months out of the year. My salary is not even close to the $81,000 example I posted earlier. Plus, we probably pay at least $250-$350 a month for family health insurance. This is all about money. I'm glad the board is finally trying to stop the spending. We can't continue at this pace!

Lyn, I can't answer all your questions but I can tell you a few things. In 2010-11 the 90+ salaries that didn't move were at the top of the scale at the freeze and so stayed there. Younger teachers needed to get their Master's degrees within the first 5 years of teaching so their salaries went up and so did the averages. At the same time, newer teachers coming in we're being RIF'd- lower salaries out- also raising the average. In that time period, the teachers also increased their contribution to their healthcare benefits. I believe it went up 5% during that time period. Also, during that time (don't quote me on this) I think they saved money in the health consortium.

The average teacher salary increased for several reasons. The biggest reason is because of staff cuts, the teachers with the least experience were laid off, which drove the median number up when looking at average income...that has been stated on this site many times and yet continually ignored during discussion of why the numbers climbed. A teacher's salary also can increase due to that teacher completing more coursework (which we are not compensated for at all-to address another comment here by someone who implied that we are compensated for this). This means they move on the salary schedule from for example, a Master's degree to a Master's degree and 30 hours beyond it. I paid for two Master's degrees so that I could be the best, most experienced teacher I could be. I did this very early on in my career before I had children when I had the time. As a result I am at the top of our salary scale. Our district is one of the best and we get excellent results even with groups of students that are more challenging to teach. I'm not apologizing for my rate of compensation as I feel that I have earned it with all of my hard work. But this contract is not about money at all to me. It is about a Board of Education that so visibly is not supportive of our profession and who are determined to undermine and demean teachers with their ridiculous language changes in the contract. The disdain shows on several of their faces. Please come witness this on July 17th.

Planning time is part of a teacher's job, it's not something extra. Time spent actually teaching is backed up by things like planning for IEPs, creating tests/homework, meeting with administrators, providing "office hours" for students to do make-up work and meet with the teacher for extra help, etc. All of which teachers are expected to be responsible for so it makes sense that there is time in the day devoted to these vital activities. It's the equivalent of having meetings at work, calling/emailing individual clients, writing proposals, a doctor writing notes in a patient's chart, etc. it's just that the school day is scheduled so that specific time for these activities need to be written in since you can't do them while teaching a class. Of course as discussed above, most if not all teachers also work after "hours" just like many other professionals.

Just an observation-
The comments on this article are so much more civil as compared to the other ones on the same subject.
Congratulations to everyone.
Finally, its nice to be able to ask questions and have an adult "debate", and nice that people can set an example for the kids that people can discuss something even if they obviously are in disagreement.

To comments above I am simply commenting on to why these salary amounts may change as you are looking at the data. These are facts and I am not explaining away our salary increases. Simply presenting information that must be acknowledged as you look at the data fairly. I don't pretend to know about school finances which is whyi did not comment on that. I would agree to 15% immediate health care contributions. I would not agree to a 10% pay cut but would agree to a true free

my comment was cut off by my son hitting my phone. I would consider a true freeze but it doesn't matter because the contract the board is trying to impose on us includes language I would never agree to. I would never agree to the section on planning time and having it reduced by 50% because it would seriously hurt my students. I would never agree to the changes in special ed language which I can't directly quote as I don't have access to it right now...so forgive me but in a nutshell would not limit the number of special education students in the classroom which would adversely affect all students by severely overloading classrooms. For reference this is under the Least Restrictive Environment section of the contract. This section would also eliminate the time I am given to plan for and write IEPs-critical documents that are crucial to my students' education. The board has also not clearly defined teacher evaluation is a way that is equitable and reasonable so you can read that section of their proposal. I do not mind being evaluated as much as they want but their language is ambiguous. I also would not agee to the language on seniority. I hope that this answers some of your questions and I am trying to be honest and respectful here so as lyn said, I hope others continue this practice as well.

Lyn, I know many people have taken hits at this time but not everyone has. I only mention this because in other posts some people keep throwing that out and you can't compare job to job. I look at my sister who does not have a college degree, makes around the same amount of money as I do, gets huge bonuses, has every other Friday off and many other freedoms. I know there are many people out there in the "business" world that also have it pretty nice. That being said, the teachers really are willing to work this out but we can't be hit with everything at once. Looking at the Board's proposal, we would first take a pretty major paycut. Then we have to look at the healthcare coverage. It's not just an increase of 10% of the premium, but also deductibles, co-pays, prescriptions, etc.... We've had a committee work many hours on our healthcare coverage. We are in a consortium with other schools to get us a good plan while saving the district money. With the districts plan many teachers would be -$10,000+ out of pocket including salary and healthcare.

I believe the political agenda is "union busting". Sb5 failed which this board openly supported. This is just my personal opinion but I feel this is a Tea Party attempt to implement aspects of SB5 on a local level. In response to Sue R no I do not think the board went through 500 plus changes proposed by the BEA but I'm sure that information will eventually make its way out to the public. I just wish counter proposals would be made public like the initial proposals. Again just my opinion but that is why I'm glad to be an American because I am entitled to that.

OK, so once again I feel the need to straighten a few things out. In deference to full disclosure those who post here should know a few things about me. I am NOT a teacher, community member, OR an alumni of the BBHCSD. Having, said that there was a time when I was in H.S I would have given anything, to a member of a community I admire(d) so much. I began admiring the H.S and it's community because I am the son of a faculty member from the H.S. The fact that any community member could be so focused on the numbers of this issue that they can't see what the real issue is disturbs me slightly. If this were only about money no one their right mind would EVER get into teaching as a profession, because the respect that is received while participating in the profession isn't nearly what it should be.
Quite frankly, if this comes across as rude please handle your self like an adult, I don't care that " no one in the private sector sees those kinds of percentage increases", guess what this isn't the private sector and here isn't just about the bottom line but even if it were, you still lose. To further elaborate the point If I really wanted to I'd be willing to bet that the gross amount of scholarships received for higher education by every graduating class is at least equal to or exceeds the cost of the districts teachers as a whole.

Once again, I feel the need to straighten a few things out here. This never was about the money, the money is a trivial matter in the scope of the entire scenario. Unfortunately, most of the community members posting here, who claim to have read the BEA Union Proposal don't have a clue. Before you ask, no I'm not going to get into a numbers debate with anyone because quite frankly I don't care one bit, I do not care that " no one in the private sector sees those kinds of % 's" as they relate to raises. If that's what you care about about when it comes to your school district, you need some serious help.

If that sounds rough, too bad it was meant that way. No matter how you want to break this down, the benefit to the community is overwhelming compared to the cost as it strictly relates to monetary value. To further demonstrate my point allow me to elaborate on several things. I'm not a teacher, I'm not a community member, I'm not even an Alumi, but I am a son of a H.S faculty member. I personally couldn't be prouder that my mother teaches in such an amazing district. To the point that when I was in H.S I held, and still do BBHCSD in such high regard that I very clearly asserted that I would be willing to pay whatever fees would be associated with my going to school in the BBHCSD. For your information it's not a short drive away either. Secondly, if this were only about money you'd come to the this epiphany, no one in their right mind would ever spend

the outlay in cash that it requires to become a teacher simply because the respect that should be there with a position that can determine the future growth or decline of a city, just simply doesn't exist. Furthermore if I took the cost of paying teachers salaries per year and compared it to the difference that would be payed DIRECTLY by community members or alumni themselves due to a lack of scholarship offers, because there were no teachers to educate your children to the point that a school is offering to pay your children's way through their institution because they want your child to be associated with it, would be simply astronomical, I find it hard to believe that the biggest problem in the room in honestly teachers salaries and benefits, what you should is unite together before your school board destroys the one community asset you truly have .

Sincerely,
A concerned resident of a nearby northeast ohio community who would hate to see such an illustrious school district suffer at the hands of idiocricy

Once again I want to commend the teachers that have posted here on their professionalism in the face of some unfair attacks on their character and work ethic. I hope the teachers know that the vast majority of parents do appreciate what you all do for our children. I think that is reflected in the support our PSO provides the teachers. I also hope the teachers can also appreciate the money aspect is a real problem that needs addressed. If we don't ask the teacher to contribute more to their healthcare and reduce their raise schedules how else can the district save money (please don't say by not spending $200,000 on lawyers)? The question is not rhetorical and not meant as a slight in anyway. I honestly want to know if the teachers and other staff, as the front line employees, see ways that the system is bleeding money that can be fixed. If there are other issues, the parents could pressure the Board to fix those issues and ask that the teachers' contributions to their benefits not be increased so much at once.

James, thank you for your resppect. I believe before this is all over you will see that the teachers are willing to contribute more to healthcare and freeze salary schedules. We are not ignorant. But the other work condition concerns effecting students are real and dangerous and I am positive that this board is not willing to negotiate in an honest waym. We need people like you to come to the board meeting. Ask the board questions. Talk to the teachers in person.

I just want to reiterate we ARE willing to give concessions on healthcare and salary, but the board will only accept the terms they have published. They will not negotiate. Please please please come to the meeting. Ask them why they won't negotiate and any other questions you have. Talk to the teachers face to face. We are real, feeling, rational, intelligent people, who love your kids and love teaching them, not faceless greedy thugs as some hurtfully accuse.

Judy I don't want the board to negotiate. I support their take it or leave it attitude on salary and insurance. We need to get the budget under control and that includes teacher salar and insurance. As for prep time maybe middle ground of 300 min would be acceptable to me but I will support the boards decision. Have you read Cleveland.com The comments there are blunt but frankly a good representation of how the vast majority of people privately feel.

I agree with the board. During the election campaign the board members stated that financial responsbility was very important to them and the residents agreed with them by electing them. Now they are honoring their promise to the residents.

James I know you cannot ignore finances, but thats not what the issue is, and in regard to the district getting destroyed your school board is doing that single handedly, serious my good sir watch out before they run you over too

Michelle,

Where are you coming up with the $10K figure?

In answering your question "is 10K too much to give": No, I do not feel this is too much of a sacrifice. In past contract negotiations, your union has been greedy and the board was cowardly in standing up for the long term needs of the district. I am sorry you are feeling the brunt of these past mistakes but the ship needs to be brought back on course. If we do not make corrections now and we stay this course the district will be broke, the state will take over and ALL of our home values WILL SUFFER.

Michelle. If the proposal comes up with more money than needed then I would conclude it is the board's desire to hire more teachers, make improvements, and reduce student to teacher ratios. They are not a "for profit" entity. They have no reason to generate a profit for no reason. It is not like they can issue distribution checks on profits generated to board members.

Michelle, we will never win with rational argument because no matter what some people will always feel whatever amount we make is too much and there is no number too large for us to give back regardless of our expertise, experience, or education, even if it destroys our ability to provide for our families. And there will also always be those who refuse to regard the work condition aspect of the proposed contract as well and what it will do to our students. It is difficult to feel anything other than defeated and hated.

I think I have a simple solution. If its about money fine. The teachers should have a pay freeze for the 1st year and then increase a 1% or another % that is deemed appropriate. Give the teachers their planning time and collaboration time for the special education needs. Let the teachers do their jobs. We have a good school district and the outcome is having good students and citizens in our community. However, if the levy didn't pass the last time, the Superintent should not receive a raise. I understand he to works year round, but the right thing to do is not accept it. I don't think this arguing is healthy for anyone. The reason for summer break is to re-group, grow and change for everyone: students, educators, and board members. I think the students are going to be the ones hurt in this environment if we have sub teachers filling in and making up lesson plans and then having our teachers re-teach our students everything and then be responsible for testing the students to pass for next year. In my personal experience, if I have a question, the teachers answer them within 24 hours. If I ask a board member a question - I am still waiting.....

In trying to gain perspective, I started thinking about other professions that have union. Fire fighers are not compensated as well as our teachers, AND they save lives and have no idea if they will return home at the end of a work day!! I sure hope the teachers step outside of their box to gain some perspective. http://www1.salary.com/Fire-Fighter-Salary.html

Judy, you are not hated. What is hated is the teachers as a whole authorizing the strike because the federal mediator was brought in. If the teachers were being asked to make unreasonable concessions, the mediator would find in their favor. I believe the union leadership knows that their demands are unreasonable and that is why the fear the mediator.

Lenore L.

Your are just plain ignorant comparing fireman to teachers.

They sit all day waiting for a fire. They work on equipment, then lift weights, eat and then rest. I love fireman and the sacrifices they make, but teachers work 20 times harder in everyday life. So please Lenore.. Don't go there.

Lenore, just because your life sucks... Don't take it out on everyone else.

Jim, I can take don't compare apples to oranges or points on why they are different. Calling me ignorant and telling me my life that sucks is unprofessional and wrong.

I wondered how long the discussion would remain civil.
Too bad people couldn't last beyond 2 days.
They are back at it on the on other article as well.
I hope this loss of simple polite discussion, bordering on irrational loss of temper, isn't an indication of how the negotiations will go, or else they just will not happen. Then the strike that was voted for will.

I am not a teacher but I had some great teachers growing. Stop comparing the private sector to teaching.

Edward and Lenore you should very seriously think about quitting before you both end up looking like major jerks..... oops little late for that

I only wish that I could replace your school board president personally because, he is playing the citizens against the teachers, only for the citizens to eventually realize that he has no ones best interest at heart. Any college business major could do better than this jerk

I support the board 100% and that includes the current board president. They ran and were elected because they pledged to bring fiscal responsibility to the district. Many, many, many in this community support the school board and feel their proposal is "on the mark" not requiring any negotiation. I was at Bunco on Tuesday with 32 women. The posts here and on Cleveland.com looked mild compared to words spoken. While several teachers were called out for being nice and good, the feeling was the board should stick to their guns and not negotiate. The fear is the district will stay this course, run out of money, go into state control and end up like Parma. I feel like the end of this discussion has been hijacked by union leaders. I am saddended to see posts that include name calling and bullying. There was so much potential for educating taxpayers on the issues and for the union to gain the public's perspective.

If you are getting your information from Cleveland.com know that you are reading hateful inflammatory comments from a media source that has typically been anti union. I'm not saying that these people don't have a right to those opinions, just that the people trolling that site seem less interested in intelligent back and forth dialogue and more interested in creating more division. Some of the comments about how the vote was taken for strike authorization to the comments about how the Board was willing to negotiate are inaccurate. Thankfully now further negotiations have been scheduled so hopefully both groups can really begin to bargain. It i s is a very emotional time but it would be much more productive if people would attempt to get factual information rather than continue to fuel the fires. As Lyn points out it only takes a few comments like this before we start attacking each other, the name calling begins again and the conversation deteriorates.

You only checked off that you had indeed voted. The authorization was a private ballot.

Greg is correct.

Why is it that no one ever gives credit to the parents or the child if the child grows up to be as an intelligent young person? Sure, good teachers help. And, really, when you think about it, its those kids in the less fortunate areas who may not have the advantages of the kind of encouragement that those in the burbs have. It is more difficult for their teachers to help teach them and mold them, because they are filling more than just teachers roles. Yet, it is those very teachers that get paid less. This is one more reason that the way our schools are funded need fixing. All teachers throughout the state should be paid equally. I don't think it can be said that a teacher in a lesser paying district is any less worthy than those in Brecksville or Solon.
Just an observation.

I was wondering when he would reappear on here again...^Thank you for reinforcing my point Frank. You don't add anything to the discussion except misinformation and hate. With that being said, I am finished with this thread as the conversation just continues to deteriorate.

Can someone help me understand something? I went back to the current agreement, the board proposal and the union proposal. I am focused only on salaries. I am clearly not reading something correctly because I don't see a big deal. I am hoping a teacher can chime in and help me understand. I am using the example of a teacher is a BA and 2 years ago was frozen at 5 years but is now unfrozen so that takes them to 7 years. Board froze at 5 year $48,222, adusted to actual 7 year $53,165. Union Proposal froze at 5 year $48,352, adjusted to actual 7 year $53,313. I am sure I am missing something because this is only a minor sacrifice. Thanks in advance for any constructive comments that help me understand.

I am getting really ticked off by the number of teachers contacting students to attend the school board meeting. My son came home and informed me he is going to support the teachers that do not want to strike. Are you kidding me? You know that the union is going to manipulate this to imply the students want the board to settle. These kids are not tax payers. They do not have the capacity to understand the complexity of these issues. They should not be allowed at the board meetings at all. I am mad the union and teachers are using my child as a pawn. It is a desperate move that makes the union look like solidarity "bullies" in which no level is too low.

Oh and Lenore, my son is attending the meeting Tuesday. I could not keep him home if I tried. Have you been to any board meetings this year? He has and so have i.

Sorry Kelly--he does not know all of the complexities. He puts out lots of info that is half-truths or completely false.

Board meMbers aren't alloweD to comment on here are they "Sue R."?

I can call out two teachers that have called the house. Why don't I? Because he is going to have them as teachers in the high school next year and I fear repercussions. Why do I fear repercussions, because I offered to cross the line to sub and was contacted by a third teacher (from a middle school child) and flat out warned me my child will suffer when the strike is over. I fear some teachers are wearing rose colored glasses and do not see what is happening with some of their solidarity buddies.

o

Are you suggesting that "older" teachers should be let go at a certain point because younger teachers are cheaper?