Teachers picket as strike begins
By BILL RODGERS-Tribune Chronicle
Article Photos
NEWTON FALLS - The strike had a wet and rocky start Friday.
Outside of the Newton Falls school complex Friday afternoon, drivers honked for, yelled at or made rude gestures toward teachers who were picketing in the rain.
Friday marked the first day of the teachers strike against the Newton Falls Exempted Village School District after teachers rejected Thursday the district's last offer for a one-year contract that froze wages. The main sticking points in the talks are the short life span of the deal and wages.
Administration officials said they do not expect to speak with federal mediators again until Wednesday.
Union president Peggy Guliano said, "We told them that we were ready to meet at any time."
Almost one-third of the students in the district were absent Friday. Superintendent David Wilson said the 69 percent attendance was more than he expected for the first day of the strike.
On the line, teachers marched while members of a private security company videotaped them, something Wilson said was standard during strikes against the district. Cars, UPS vans and Coca Cola trucks blew their horns for the striking teachers.
Wilson said about 40 substitute teachers showed up to take the district's offer of $200 a day. Guliano said the substitutes normally earn $75 per day.
"It's like a slap in the face," she said.
Wilson said the first day of the strike went smoothly, with the exception of the high school students, where teachers had to be assigned to the different subjects.
One woman pulling in past the picket line in a van told the strikers her children were in school Friday, but wouldn't be on Monday.
Another woman, Julie Stimper, said that teachers told her son in the 10th grade that they would not hold it against him if he went to class during the strike, but any work he did would not count while they gone.
Wilson said Thursday after hearing similar reports that school is in and work counts. On Friday, he said those who were absent needed to have an excuse just like for any other absence.
Union officials discredited similar reports of teachers warning students away from school, stating that their union would not discuss the strike with students.
A couple students interviewed after class said there wasn't much difference between sitting in class and staying home Friday.
"They did not do anything. They took our names down," Stephanie Caroline said about the substitute teachers.
Caroline said most of her friends were out of school Friday.
Eighth-grade student Hope Host said not much happened during class. She said her day was boring.
Her mother, Loretta Host, said she thought the strike should end.
"I understand that they need more money but they need to think of the children," she said.
High School Junior Jacob Ballas, the nephew of Board of Education member Ed Ballas, joined teachers, picketing in his varsity jacket. He and his friend Chase Carter both are on the football team, which had to cancel its game against Windham Friday night because of the strike.
"We're here to support the teachers," Ballas said. "It's ridiculous what's going on at the high school."
The two were angry at missing their game.
"There's no doubt we would have won," Carter said.
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ParentTrap
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09-09-08 8:37 AM
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We’re in our own community war. It’s not pretty. This isn’t the first time, and it probably won’t be the last. Somebody is going to win and somebody will lose. While the battle continues, it’s the children who are getting wounded and they never even got a chance to run for cover. It’s time to clear the battlefield and tend to their injuries. Education heals. Education is healthy.
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nfgirl06
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09-07-08 11:30 PM
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just because wilson looks leval headed on the news does not mean he is like that all of the time...of course he wants to look like a nice guy on the news...
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EducateNF
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09-07-08 11:18 PM
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Many teachers do have children who go to school here. Many also have children in other schools. These same teachers who claim to be a part of our community that live elsewhere are the first ones to tell you they don't become involved in community things as they do not live here. Yes, there was almost a strike the last time. The teachers had a bitter fight among themselves and struggled before voting to accept the contract by a very narrow margin. Yes, many of these same teachers have repeatedly stepped up to the plate when asked to and have met the needs of our students and our community. Last thing to clarify, if the levy had passed in March at the primary election, it would not have lowered your taxes. They would have increased for this year. Next year when the old bond issue comes off, the overall effect would be a lower tax. The board did nothing, other than to beg at a few meeting for people to help them out.
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Education1st
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09-07-08 10:38 PM
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Being newer to the area, I heard mention that the last contract almost ended in a strike, is that true? And if so, does anyone know, what allowed a contract to be reached (e.g. sticking points)? Since it is such a small town, it seems that some/many of the teaching staff has or has had children go through the halls of NF. Is that the case?
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Education1st
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09-07-08 10:33 PM
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As a supporter of education, I'm not totally convinced that the money is being spent as wisley as it could be. If it were me, I would be more apt to take concessions if the budget was straped if it was done so by my supervisor as a demonstration of good faith. Why should the teachers be willing to take nothing if the administration will not do the same? I know that I wouldn't have a good feeling about it either. I was not able to attend the rally tonight, so I still need to gather more info for my sake. I'm definitely curious as to where the budget stands, how much the strike is actuatlly costing, and what other issues are sticking points.
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OurKidsOurFuture
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09-07-08 10:27 PM
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Ohio department of education ****ode.state.oh.us
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victorson
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09-07-08 10:24 PM
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they should have had a reporter there at the meeting is what i'm trying to say at anyrate...sleep time for me-
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Education1st
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09-07-08 10:24 PM
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Victorson-Did you ever strike when you were employed in the mill?
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victorson
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09-07-08 10:22 PM
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in fact, actually the tribune should have a detailed story about it...maybe you should email the writer on this artical we are typing entitled "Teachers picket as strike begins"...I think his email is posted at the end of the artical.
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victorson
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09-07-08 10:10 PM
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hmm, well maybe the tribune can investigate it more to see if they can find anything. used to be the tribune would support 100% of all school levies, however now days they tend to look a little closer at things. I know one thing for certain, as a 65 year old retired steel mill worker I make 1500 a month. subtract from that 400 heating bill, and 4-500 for my secondary health medigap insurance and I am dead in the water.
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Parentof4in44444
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09-07-08 10:06 PM
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would be more then willing to give it to anyone. Look at it before you side with Wilson and the board.
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Parentof4in44444
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09-07-08 10:06 PM
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I understand that, believe me I am one of those people that is living pay check to pay check. Tonight at the meeting there is proven fact that the levy that was on the ballot the last time, if you would of voted for it it would of actually lowered you taxes for you, but no one not even the boe made that known. That is what I am getting at. Wilson along with the BOE is lieing to everyone. There is facts, I wish I could remember the web site to look at, but there is a web site where you can view that states what our school has. They showed proof tonight that it is there and not being used for what it should be. The teachers aer not only asking for a raise, but they are also asking for buses back and other things. Like I said no by no means am I well educated, but I am not stupid either. I can see that Wilson and the BOE are lieing to everyone. What I am saying to you is please look at the facts before you start going against the teachers. Go to Mayor Layshock he has the proof and said h
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victorson
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09-07-08 10:00 PM
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Parentof4in44444, I have no problems with the way you talk. I also appologize for calling you missy below, as that was uncalled for. My only point is winter is comming and along w/ it 400 heating bills. Lots of eldery people are really hurting.
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Parentof4in44444
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09-07-08 9:50 PM
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First of all I will talk as I please if that is ******** and using these words then I will. If you think I am undereducated yes I am. I wish I would of went on futher with my education, but I am not stupid. I can read and I have seen and read the facts that has been gotten from our Mayor of the town that there is money. If any of you idiots would of went to the town rally you would of heard first hand from many people other then the teachers on what Wilson is doing to our school and community. The BOE is also at fault for alot of it. So call me stupid or whatever you want and say I am whinning like the teachers but I know the true fact.
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victorson
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09-07-08 9:39 PM
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Parents send your kids to school.
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victorson
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09-07-08 8:26 PM
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School Board and Mr. Wilson: Stay the course.
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victorson
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09-07-08 8:25 PM
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If you are unhappy with this then please feel free to leave the district and find another teaching position somewhere else in the country where you are more happy.
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victorson
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09-07-08 8:24 PM
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The botom line is. We are sorry. We the taxpayers are unable to aford an increase in your wages at this time. Please try to understand that elderly people are unable to afford their natural gas bill, much less higher property taxes.
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ohbrother
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09-07-08 7:42 PM
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and closing completely. Freeze wages and get students learning educational things rather than this garbage. Teachers being one is important but it does not exempt you from the real world where people cant afford any insurance or are paying hundreds a month for it and are not getting raises at all and making less than you. This is at IMPORTANT jobs also. Look at this people - relationships are severed in this situation and never rebuilt kids suffer but life goes on and we all have to live with each other in the end. The teachers do not have an income while on strike or benefits - who is that helping?
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ohbrother
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09-07-08 7:31 PM
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All of your arguing is way off the issue. The BOE makes the decision to pay for the building that was built and to not bus and everything else. It is Mr. Wilsons job ot implement what the board directs. How informed are your new board members to the contract? How informed is te community to what the BOE does and does not do? Are you at the meetings if so you would knw that they do not give a report as they are to, on the classes & conferences they went to &only attended part of & left to shop or said this is too much but you the tax payer paid to send them there. Do you see the boe micro managing on things they should not be? Do you hear the topics they want to take to executive session? PLEASE look at this BOE and what they are really doing. If the finances are so bad - implement a pay freeze from the top down!EVERYONE! Oh, there may be 7 coaches but not all are paid - some VOLUNTEER to be there for the kids. In the work sector, many are making cuts daily
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44444res
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09-07-08 6:02 PM
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Parent of 4 is whining just as bad as the teachers...and her lack of education shows in her inability to come to logical conclusions based on fact, not personal opinion...
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NF2002
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09-07-08 5:03 PM
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Yes, respect is definitely a reason for a person to be fired.
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Parentof4in44444
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09-07-08 5:00 PM
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Fired from what my computer. I am not a teacher in the school. I am a parent of kids in the school in case you cant read it says parent of 4 in 44444. He is a over paid ass that sits in his big office and tries to make veryone think that the school is so poor and has nothing. As for the board yeah we are the ones that voted them in and what a mistake that was. Like I said you must be related to someone in that office or one of them.
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victorson
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09-07-08 4:57 PM
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Mr. Wilson is the chief executive officer of the district, as that person he implements all Board decisions and manages the schools in accordance with Ohio law and Board policies. He has responsibilities to support Board operations and decision making. The people of the comminity are the ones who voted in the school board. This is how you teachers get a pay check. Now if you can't find it in yourselves to show enough respect to call the man by his name. Then you deserve to be fired.
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Parentof4in44444
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09-07-08 4:54 PM
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Victorson I think you are just a very bitter person because you have been treated bad so you are just trying to make others feel sorry for you. Well sorry your life ***** but it isnt about you. It is about the future of our kids. Bottom line, they need a education and the only way they are going to get a good one is if Wilson is spending the money the right way. Not blowing it foolishly like he has been. There is more needed in this school besides our teachers to go back. We need buses we need books. So what most of us are trying to tell you this isnt just about the teachers getting a raise it is about Wilson and the board doing something right for once.
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