Sides deadlocked, strike rolls on Salaries, evaluations, hours at heart of divide in Richmond Height

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/1178181918224960.xml&coll=2

Sides deadlocked, strike rolls on
Salaries, evaluations, hours at heart of divide in Richmond Heights
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Angela Townsend
Plain Dealer Reporter

Richmond Heights -- As the strike of unionized school employees enters its second day today, Superintendent Walter Calinger said he is preparing for the work stoppage to stretch into next week.

The two sides, which reached an impasse early Wednesday morning, may not even come back to the bargaining table before Friday, Calinger said.

Students in grades 4-8 have not finished taking state achievement tests this week. The testing will resume May 9 to give substitute teachers time to get to know the students.

"We are questioning the education that's taking place," said union spokeswoman Andrea Manes, a science teacher with the district.

The union, which includes teachers and other non-administrative employees, and the district remain divided over a number of issues. Among them: the number of times teachers are evaluated during the year, the length of the school day and salaries.

The union is seeking a 3 percent annual raise for two years, retroactive to July 2006. Members have rejected the school board's latest offer of 2 percent a year for the same period.

FULL story at link.