UPDATE: Union, Shadyside Schools Reach Tentative Agreement - WTRF-TV

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SHADYSIDE, Ohio -- With the possibility of a teachers strike on Friday looming, representatives of the Shadyside Education Association and the Shadyside Board of Education met for more than three hours Tuesday under the direction of a federal mediator.

A tentative agreement was reached at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Shadyside teachers said a huge burden has been lifted and they can go back to the classroom as usual.

Crisis Coordinator and teacher Jeri DeLong said she's been praying for this.

"I can't really explain it, it was elation, something everybody prayed for everynight," said DeLong.

Teachers and the community of Shadyside can breathe a sigh of relief now that a strike in the Shadyside school district has been called off.

SEA Chief Negotiator Jeff Mamone said the tentative agreement was announced Tuesday and was achieved because both sides worked in a spirit of compromise on the remaining issues.

"We will not release any details of the agreement until SEA members and the Board have ratified it. We offer our sincere thanks to our brothers and sisters in the labor unions and OEA affiliates throughout the Ohio valley who stood by us during these tough negotiations,” said Mamone.

"We were just asking for help with the cost of living and things the district hadn't been able to give us for five years because of financial constraints, " added Mamone.

A rally scheduled to drum up support from the community for a potential strike turned into a celebration at union headquarters, near what's known as "the loop" in Shadyside.

The SEA will vote on the contract on Friday morning.

Teacher Sally Bobek said it's planned to be officially ratified.

"Right now, we can breath a little easier and enjoy the moment ... I was on the negotiation team and we've been doing this since April and its such a relief that we don't have to worry about this we can get back to our kids," said Bobek.

Teachers said they are looking ahead to the football game Saturday.

The Shadyside Tigers kick-off at Zanesville's Sulsberger Memorial Stadium against the Grove City Christian Eagles at 1p.m., Saturday.

"We will definitely support the tigers againts the Eagles. Go Tigers!" said teacher Rayanne Ponzo.

In the 80's you had a little more control over your classroom and did not have to worry as much about offending a child who was disrupting the education process. Teachers felt supported and respected a little more. Now the disruptive child has more rights then the ones there to learn.

Yea real smart talking about a strike when a levy for schools are on the ballet. You wonder why it failed. Since I'm presuming since you are a teacher that you are a Liberal and will be making some lame excuse or better yet blaming someone else as you all do so well for the failure.

Sorry to hear you feel the way you do about some of our teachers. I'm one of them. I graduated from Shadyside and I remember the mannerisms of Sara Lee and Jack Berger, Mr. and Mrs.Clouston, and Mr.Romick. They were my mentors. The relationship I have with the students I teach (past and present), along with their parents, has been nothing but positive. Every year is a new learning experience and lesson in life. If I have a problem of any kind, it's just a simple matter of calling and speaking with Mom or Dad to begin the process necessary to rectify any situation. Even this can present a challenge, but it works most of the time. Parents are seeking help and guidance. Only I know how much time I put into helping each of my students beyond the normal setting. I don't need to account to anyone for that - no one cares - but it matters from my viewpoint. To me, that's the norm and that includes handling telephone calls to and from parents during the evening to discuss their concerns- all part of the job. I don't need John Doe's thanks so long as I have the cooperation, respect and understanding of the parents and students with whom I work. That's what counts - that's what matters. Truthfully, I've been doing this for a few years. The greatest reward is when a former student approaches me with their own child(ren) and says, "This was my teacher in school, and I have her/him to thank for what I know today." A nice compliment. However, the hard work and real dedication goes to the student and parent(s) who take enough time to care about themselves as a family. A rare quality today to say the least.

It is just a job anymore and the teachers want to put in 8 hrs with little or no problems and get home just like the working men and women outside the schools. If a kid has problems with school work put them in the back row and go on. Disagree but i know better. I can say 0ne thing thank God they aren't molesting our young boys and girls.

These teachers hardly "just got hired". Most of them were involved in freezing their pay 5 years ago FOR THE KIDS/SCHOOL. I'm just pleased that an agreement has been reached and you should be too. As for teachers teaching manners and respect...that needs to START AT HOME like it did when you went to school in the 80s...

I hope everyone puts the kids first in this meeting and quit being so 'me,me,me'. The school is FOR/ABOUT the kids. Period. Not stupid things that pertain to beyond the kids. What happened to 'No child left behind'? What a joke that is. Shadyside should be ashamed of themselves for putting these children AND their families under undue stress. Teachers KNOW what their pay is when hired, etc. If you are not happy with what the offer is, go elsewhere. Don't get hired and start a Union war to get your way and where are the kids in this little disagreement? Too bad teachers aren't what they were when I went to school in the 80's. Never ONCE do I remember our teachers striking. Not even talk about it. Because they were content with their jobs and cared about the students getting the proper education AND learning manners, respect, etc. This world has gone to complete crap due to most people thinking of themselves and not their jobs anymore. Sad.

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