AKRON, Ohio — “The reality is our schools are not safe. Teachers, administrators, students, and parents know this. We will not stay silent any longer.”
That’s the message from the Akron Education Association (AEA).
“In a historic vote at AEA’s General Assembly Meeting Sunday evening, 99% of members rejected the Fact-Finder’s recommendations for a successor Agreement,” Patricia Shipe, President of the AEA, said in a press release. “The results of tonight’s vote have been forwarded to the Superintendent.”
So what does this mean for the district?
“Through their vote, Akron educators sent a strong and unified message that they will continue to put student and staff safety first,” Shipe said in a statement. “This vote demonstrates that our educators will not accept the Superintendent’s prioritizing the district’s image while ignoring dangerous conditions inside our school buildings.”
Shipe did not provide details of the fact-finder's recommendations.
What's next?
Shipe also said the AEA's vote to reject the fact-finder's recommendations "calls for procedures within 13.05 to take place," which (as listed below) references a strike could take place should the association decide to give a 10-day notice.
13.05 explained: If either the AEA or the Board rejects the fact-finder’s report, the rejection shall be considered a request for mediation. The rejecting party shall, within two (2) work days, contact the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), request the services of a mediator, and shall notify the other party of the request in writing. The mediator shall be selected by FMCS. Members shall have the right to strike provided the contract has expired and no agreement has been reached and the Association has given a ten (10) day prior written notice of intent to strike to the Board and SERB as required by 4117.14 of the Ohio Revised Code.
Mark Williamson, spokesperson for the Akron Public School District, says their board will consider the fact-finder's report in a special meeting at 4 p.m. today.
"This will likely go to federal mediation," Williamson said.
What is the AEA?
Here's how the organization is described on their site: "The Akron Education Association is a union of professional educators advocating for shared leadership and quality public schools. We are committed to using our voices to make educating all children a public policy priority. Our belief is to put children at the center of education. We endeavor to work together with parents, families, and community to achieve our goals and support successful education."
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Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on Nov. 17, 2022.