Keystone Oaks Teachers Could Strike Thursday

Keystone Oaks School District teachers could go on strike as soon as Thursday.

The Keystone Oaks Education Association has notified the district it intends to strike at 12:01 a.m. on March 30 if a tentative contract agreement can’t be reached. Under state law, teachers must give districts at least 48 hours notice before walking off the job.

District teachers, nurses and counselors have been working without a contract since last June, and the association in December overwhelmingly authorized its negotiating team to call for a strike.

“The teachers, nurses and counselors who work so diligently for the education and welfare of our students deserve a fair and equitable contract,” association president Kevin Gallagher said in a statement.

Superintendent William Stropkaj and Gallagher were scheduled to meet on Tuesday morning. School directors and association negotiators will meet Wednesday night in a last-ditch effort to avoid a strike.

“We are committed to the students of this community and education is our top priority,” Gallagher said. However, he added, “We stand in solidarity as a membership to call for a strike unless we are presented a district proposal that recognizes our worth to the students and school community.”

State law mandates the school year must end by June 15. The district plans to release an updated calendar as soon as possible and also will allow extracurricular activities and athletic events to continue if the sponsor or coach wishes to hold those activities and events.

The district also will continue to provide transportation for students attending Parkway West Career & Technical Center or other out-of-district educational or vocational facilities.

Logo via Keystone Oaks School District.