Teachers in solidarity

ROCKFORD - A group of teachers at Parkway Local Schools held a small demonstration Thursday in hopes that school board members will soon reach a settlement as contract negotiations continue to stall.

About a dozen teachers wore red in solidarity and support of teachers and public education as they walked into school Thursday morning, Parkway Education Association president Anita Morton said.

Parkway teachers have been working under a contract that expired June 30.

Morton said negotiations have stalled largely because of differing views on health care.

The PEA and the board of education have been bargaining since April, Morton said, and both sides last met for negotiations in early September.

District treasurer Debbie Pierce has said the district's current three-year contract with teachers started July 1, 2018, and expired on June 30. Teachers were given raises of 2.5%, 2% and 1% for 2018, 2019 and 2020.

Morton said negotiations have been going well, but no date has been set for the next bargaining session. Educators hope that Thursday's demonstration will spur action from board members and bring them back to the bargaining table, Morton said.

"We do not have the next bargaining session scheduled but the PEA looks forward to going back to the table and bargaining a (successful) agreement," Morton later wrote in a statement.

Morton said although negotiators feel they are close to reaching a settlement, negotiations have largely stalled because of health care.

"It's all about health care. Everything is about health care nowadays," Morton said. "If you want to get good teachers and retain good teachers, you need good health care."

PEA spokesman Ryan Twigg said negotiations have been held about once a month for the past six months. The PEA is a local affiliate of the Ohio Education Association (OEA), which has been aiding the union with contract negotiations.

Twigg in a separate statement said Parkway teachers care deeply about their students and want what is best for them.

"It is important to recruit and maintain highly qualified teachers for the good of our students. At this time, we cannot compete with neighboring communities," the statement reads. "The PEA wants to ensure that the district invests the taxpayers' dollars back into the classroom to educate our students. Investing in education prepares Parkway students for a successful and meaningful future."

Superintendent Jeanne Osterfeld on Thursday stated district officials have been negotiating in good faith for months and will continue to do so.

"We value their effort on behalf of the district and we remain hopeful that we will be able to reach (an) agreement soon," Osterfeld said.

Osterfeld did not respond to a request for further comments. School board president Tom Lyons did not return requests for comment.

The next school board meeting is at 6:30 p.m. Monday in the community room.