Highlands Teachers, Board Fail To Reach Deal, Strike Begins Wednesday
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Teachers and other staff members of the Highlands School District will walk the picket lines Wednesday morning.
The strike comes after the Highlands School Board and the Highlands Area Education Association met Tuesday in a lengthy, last-ditch session to try to agree on a new contract.
Both sides sat down at the bargaining table at 4:30 p.m. at the Highlands Administrative Center, but with no deal in sight by 10 p.m., school administrators officially cancelled classes for Wednesday and beyond.
On their website, the school district said: "This stoppage may continue for up to 10 school days. Schools may reopen as late as April 22. Parents will be notified when schools will be reopening."
"The administration is very much aware of what needs to happen [Wednesday]," said Highlands School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Bjalobok. "The seniors were spoken to, students who attend technical school will still attend [Wednesday], our one-call notice is going out right now, and the administrators will be here to greet the students in the morning."
A total of 191 teachers, counselors, nurses and social workers will now walk off the job and onto the picket lines Wednesday morning. They are expected to start picketing around 7:45 a.m. at Highlands High School.
They will be picketing at different schools throughout the strike.
The Highlands Education Association has been negotiating contracts for the last 16 months.
There are 2,600 students in the district. Many of the seniors due to graduate June 3 are concerned about completing course work.
But the superintendent of the district assures they will graduate as scheduled.
For more information from the district for seniors and other special students, visit their website here.
The two main sticking points at the bargaining table are wages and benefits.
"It's always disappointing when students are put in this position, especially this late in the year," said Ira Weiss, solicitor for Highlands School District. "It's also disappointing when a community like this, that has been through it's share of problems lately, has to deal with a situation like this."
The head of the Highlands Education Association echoed the disappointment.
"A lot anxiety, anxiety," said HEA President Randy Rybak. "Disappointment among all of us, very disappointing."
Students also weighed in on being off from school.
"Obviously it's not going to be great," said Seth Anuszek, a junior at Highlands High School. "We have really great teachers, they deserve to be paid better, they are great people. I think they deserve better."
Other students will enjoy the time off.
"We like the teachers a lot," said senior Jameson Smith. "But we're happy, because it's like spring break part two. I like to sleep in, we all do."
Stay With KDKA.com For More Details
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
