Teachers in Columbus City Schools, Ohio’s largest school district, have voted to strike and will picket Monday, two days before classes resume. More than 94 percent of Columbus Education Association members voted to reject the school board’s final offer Sunday afternoon, the Ohio Education Association said.
The union represents more than 4,000 teachers, librarians, nurses and other employees.
“This strike is about our students who deserve a commitment to modern schools with heating and air conditioning, smaller classes and a comprehensive curriculum that includes art, music and physical education,” the union said in a statement.
The school board said its bid put kids first.
“We offered a generous compensation package for teachers and provisions that would have a positive impact on classrooms,” the board said in a statement.
Graham Stokes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther asked the union and school board to continue bargaining.
“The CEA and the school district need to get back to the table and get our kids back in the classroom. A responsible solution is within reach, but only if negotiations are restarted now,” Mayor. he said in a statement.
The district of about 47,000 students has said it plans to start the school year with distance learning Wednesday if the strike continues. Some parents said this option was ineffective during the pandemic.
On CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona he did not address the negotiations in Columbus, but said teachers in general should be paid more.
“In the last 25 years, when you adjust for inflation, teachers have only made $29 more than they did 25 years ago,” Cardona said. “We have to do better there.”
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