These are teachers, RIGHT?
Well it did not take long. The teachers went on strike at 5 a.m. and it took lees than an hour for all hell to break loose. Violence of any kind is always difficult to swallow but some of the reports that have come in so far have been a little disturbing.
Within the first hour, the Jefferson county Sheriff's department was called to start keeping the peace. This was on the basis of a teacher claiming to have been hit by a car not once, but twice and from there things just went downhill even farther to the point the Sheriff was threatening to make arrests.
The Sheriff had to make further threats to arrest members of the IMAC Security team, the group brought in to replace the teachers on strike and provide security. According to Sheriff Abdalla, the group did not have the proper paperwork and never notified the Sheriff they were coming into the county.
As far as personal reports go, we have heard plenty. Mind you these could be rumors and have yet to be investigated.
Here are just some of the things we have heard so far today:
-An administrator was told as he walked into Edison High School that they know who his children are and they will remember.
-There are screws thrown all over entrance ways to Springfield Middle School. -Teachers held a bus with children inside for 30 minutes yelling and screaming "scab"
- One teacher broke the window of a sub's car and called her a "Bitch"
- It was heard that some were grabbing kids and bus drivers at John Gregg
Okay, I get that the teachers have a right to strike, and I get as to why they are striking, but is this the type of people we want around our children? Sure stressful situations can bring out the worst in a person and sometimes that is not easy to cope with, but personally I would expect a little more professionalism out of these teachers. What kind of example are they setting for our young impressionable minds? To me they are showing them that violence can at least help solve the problem, rather than negotiation and proper use of intellect. While I do side with there reasoning I certainly do not condone their behavior.
On a more passive side, it was reported that when calling a student off because the caller was concerned about the safety of their children and was not comfortable sending the children to school, the school representative replied " I don't blame you for not wanting then sent to school". On a quick side note, the days missed will NOT count against the students. The days missed will be excused but the children will be required to make up the work.
There is no peaceful end in sight, so buckle down and prepare for a three ring circus. The only hope, I believe in any type of timely resolution to this matter is if the State of Ohio steps in and removes the board from office and takes control of the school.
Stay tuned for more and I am sure there will be plenty more.
This is all so very sad for the teachers and the students. The majority of students at Edison LOVE their teachers and it's very painful to have to see this going on. Students who did have to go to school today were scared and in tears at several of the district schools, and teachers were also in tears in many instances.
I KNOW that the situation got far out of hand this morning and I fear that it is only going to get worse as the days and weeks go by, and that is going to do nothing but hurt everyone involved.
Word has it that Indian Creek and Steubenville Schools have closed down the inter-district option already for the school year, so no matter how long the strike goes on, that is not even an option for parents at this point. Much talk is going on about home school programs and that may be the best and only option as I don't see any quick end in sight for the strike.
I am going to spend some time going out to Stanton and possibly also Edison High to talk to the teachers and show support for them as well within the next several days. Once I am able to do that, I will post on how things are going from that perspective and maybe get a bit more insight into any leads as far as how long they estimate that this may last.
~Jeannie
Oh, It really doesn't surprise me about the "some" of the teachers behavoirs. I've had first hand accounts (just recently) of how UNPROFESSIONAL they can act. The majority
of the teachers do use commonsense and have been an asset to the school system though.
I do understand about standing up for what you believe in, my father-in-law was apart of the Goodyear strike, what a trying time it can be for all involved. Strikes just don't
effect the people striking, but the community as a whole. I'm sure there are many bus drivers, aides, etc. who wish that they didn't have to cross the line, but they have
families to feed too & can't take the chance of loosing their jobs also. There just needs to be some "COMMON SENSE" used in this situation. I mean come on now - got knock
down or run over BECAUSE WHY? Because YOU WEREN'T USING YOUR HEAD!! ALL I know to do is PRAY!! PRAY for wisdom, understanding, & QUICK RESOLVE!! In this whole
sistuation. And until then I guess my child will be staying home & maybe looking in to home schooling...
I fully understand the teachers anger,,they were given a raw deal!!!
But they need to remember that the very children they teach are hearing all the stories of the violence going on in the picket lines.........what kind of lesson is this for them????
If a student broke out a car window or cursed at someone they would face suspension.
Under no circumstances would I feel safe sending my child to school under these conditions.
This school district is a mess and this strike is proof that it isn't getting any better.
