Pocono News Section

Back to School For Lake-Lehman Students, Teachers

Back to School For Lake-Lehman Students, Teachers - Monday, January 5, 2009 at 12:21PM EST

Reported by: David DeCosmo
Monday, Jan 5, 2009 @ 12:21pm EST
LEHMAN TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY- There's still no contract, but there were classes Monday in the Lake-Lehman School District. Teachers decided to suspend their strike they called just before Christmas after both sides said they are moving closer to a contract agreement.

It looked like most any other school day at the Lehman Jackson Elementary School as kids got off their busses and went back to school after their holiday break. But, for these kids, that break started two days before the scheduled Christmas vacation.

That's when teachers walked out of their classroom and onto a picket line. They had been working without a new contract since August of 2006. They decided to go back to work after a negotiating session on Saturday produced what both sides called 'progress.'

And that was good news for parents like Pat Mahoney. "I have two kids in the district and I'm very happy that they're not on strike. However I hope they resolve so they don't go on strike again," said Mahoney.

Mahoney's opinion was shared by many others who had feared that the strike might be extended as the new year began.

Grandparent Nancy Kreidler said, "Yes, I'm glad that at least they got back to school so the kids aren't going to lose a lot of time."

Both sides are scheduled to meet again on January 13th to try to come up with a new contract. The teachers called two strikes last year. Parents are crossing their fingers that negotiations can finally end the strike threat. "I’m absolutely optimistic. But, after three years I'm not holding too much hope for it," added Mahoney.

The end of the Lake-Lehman teachers strike allows the district to complete the 180-day school year by the state deadline of June 15th. However, teachers still reserve the right to call a second strike. If that were to happen, the school year completion deadline would be pushed back to June 30th.