Seneca Valley Teachers Hit Picket Lines

For the first time in 22 years, teachers in the Seneca Valley School District are on strike Monday.

Both sides met Saturday, but were not able to come to an agreement. Seneca Valley district leaders announced on Friday that there would be no school Monday. The teachers have been working without a contract since June 2006.

The major disagreement is over salaries, with the district offering an average 4 percent annual increase for a five-year contract. The teachers' most recent request is for an average 6 percent per year. The average teacher's salary in the Seneca Valley district is nearly $55,000.

Upset parents are also staging a protest. They said there should be a third party in talks.

Teachers plan to hand out "fact or fiction" fliers on their picket lines and are expected to picket from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Under state law teachers have to end their strike in time for students to receive 180 days of instruction by mid-June.

What Strike Means For Students Extracurricular activities will still be held. Any community activities planned in a school building will also be held. The Seneca Valley pre-school program held in the high school will be canceled.

Previous Stories: October 14, 2007: Classes Canceled Monday In Seneca Valley School District October 9, 2007: Seneca Valley Teachers Give Strike Notice October 8, 2007: Strike Set For Seneca Valley School District September 17, 2007: Friday Night Lights Could Go Dark In Seneca Valley