Maggi, you're letting your immaturity and pomposity show. It's really not flattering. I am not a child, I pay bills, I pay taxes, and I have a real job with a real employer. Perhaps you should get a real job instead of whining and bellyaching about how hard your life is; after all, "you made the choice to go into that profession, you should've known what you were getting yourself into." B- for effort, feel free to try again when you're more mature than a highschooler.

I seriously doubt many kids are going to be at school tomorrow. 11 PM is way too late to announce that the strike is canceled! Many people are already in bed at this time... Do they seriously expect people to stay up and sit around waiting to see if the strike is still on?

I seriously doubt many kids are going to be at school tomorrow. 11 PM is way too late to announce that the strike is canceled! Many people are already in bed at this time... Do they seriously expect people to stay up and sit around waiting to see if the strike is still on?

Now I get a call at 11:08pm to tell me the strike is cancelled and all children are BEING REQUIRED to attend school tomorrow, uh, sorry, I'll need 48 hours notice.

What a crock! How many parents are now, at 11pm at night, frantically trying to rearrange their schedule once again, cancel this day off and get back a vacation day, etc.

Here's an idea: sleep in, take the day to spend with your kids and speak up by not going to school, this is between the board and the union, but the parents and kids are the ones being run around in circles. Absolutely absurd!

Strike canceled, at 1100pm? Are you serious?

Ahh, well so much for those students having time to "catch up" eh?

OH, honey, I'm sorry, I thought I was discussing the matter with an adult, not a child. When you begin paying taxes, working a full time job, and really have a clue what's it's like in the real world, with a real employer and have children and real bills, then we can sit down over a cup of coffee and discuss this matter.

Right now, I'd like to restrict my comments and discussion with other adult tax payers, but I do appreciate that a teenager would take the time to explain to me and the other working parents,how easy finding childcare in two days is, thank you, we are now enlightened by your insight.

Now, put your mom on here to give an adult insight unless of course, your mom is a teacher or union respresentative, then I totally understand, you see my point about hearing propoganda all day, which is what you are indeed being subjected to.

Back to the adult discussion...

Again, with a Columbo moment: One more thing...

Shouldn't we stop calling this a strike, though? It's only three days. What incentive is there for the school board, or the teachers, to settle this dispute? 3 days later, all will be the same--except the teachers won't be able to play the "strike" card again until next school year.

Honestly, I just wish the teachers and the union would stop saying the are "forced" to go on strike. They weren't forced. Perhaps we can go back to the tape, but I suspect they school board at no point pulled out P90s or M16s and told the teachers to strike "or else."

They made a DECISION to go on strike. The sports coaches are making DECISIONS to either cancel practices and matches, or hold them. These are all choices that they themselves are responsible for making.

If you truly believe that what you are doing is the right thing to do, then accepting responsibility for your own actions should be an easy thing to do.

Step up, and proudly claim you are responsible for your own actions. Don't hide behind "they forced us to strike."

They didn't walk out after 3 minutes. You should have read NFanion's post instead of picking apart the pieces you want to make your argument.

No, parents should not be in the classroom; they're more disruptive to the class environment than a teacher could ever be.

What makes me think that a senior wouldn't be stressed? I don't know, it could be the fact that I am one. They told us this morning that our finals, just as they were before, will be during the first week of June and our graduation date will be the 6th of June. There's nothing to be stressed about. As I said before, it just gives more time for stuff students didn't do. I'd like to know who "we" are and how many students sent those 25 texts.. I suspect no more than 3 or 4.

On the contrary. 48 hours is plenty of time to find someone to take care of a kid, unless you don't know anyone. Neighbors, relatives, the YMCA, and family friends are all possibilities. Yes, some of them are at work. I'm sure 90% of people know a 15 year old girl. Problem solved.

I have read almost all of the other posts, and many have the same misrepresented facts and misinformed opinions, skewed to fit their needs. Some have the correct facts with valid opinions, regardless of which side they agree with. I implore you to look at them instead of all the know-it-alls who truly know very little about the matter.

About the 48 hour notice, great, that's not alot when people have to rearrange child care schedules, take vacation, take off sick, it's equivalent to walking out. How many children do you think are going to be left home alone who shouldn't be because their parents have no other choice in the matter? We are opening up our home to others to try to help out. Misinformed sounds exactly like where you stand.

And to say they didn't just getup and leave is absurd, that's exactly what they did. the students we expect to be a bit immature, but the union? The administration did in fact handle it, but inappropriately.

I hope you take the time to read through all the other parents, the 7th grader parent, the grandparent who's elementary grandchild also had to sit through a lecture, among others and not just pick apart the pieces you want to make your argument, sounds like you must be part of the union.

What does walking out accomplish? Uh, ask the union, I believe they walked out after a long 3 minutes into the meeting, is that more mature than a bunch of high schoolers who are also trying to make a point? The quotes from the students are there, yes, but so are the threats, I do have knowledge of that, do you have knowledge that is not the fact? I am not misinformed, sounds like you weren't there either. Walking out would accomplish the same thing that it did when the union did it, so lets applaud the students for following the role models that have the nerve to now want me to pay them more?

Should I be in the classroom? Didn't you read my post? yes, parents should be in the classroom, no, it's not the high schoolers who are being told it's their fault, it's actually occurring at the middle and elementary, are you not taking the time to read through others posts? Did you not see the person with the 7th grader previous to me?

We have received 25 texts so far tonight from students upset, what makes you think a senior wouldn't be stressed? Could it be that graduation date may be changed? Or that summer jobs and summer college classes are in jeopardy? Or perhaps you are naive to those stresses, do you not watch the news, or read the paper? There are countless other parents expressing concerns with these issues.

In regards to the students walking out, there were very few who did so. It was not a student effort.

What does walking out accomplish? The teachers aren't walking out. They gave 48 hour notice and classes are canceled for Thursday. They didn't just get up and leave during class. The administration handled the whole situation, not the teachers. Students can speak to the press. I've seen multiple quotes from students in the paper. It seems you were misinformed Maggi.

Clearly, Maggi, you're more knowledgable about this topic than anyone else is. Or so you think. The vast majority of teachers have done nothing like you described; as per union rules, they're technically not allowed to talk about it at all. Perhaps the Econ teacher did do exactly what you said (I'm confident I know which of the two it is, and if I'm correct, he is a very poor teacher and does not represent the other teachers), but most teachers, if asked, are saying something like, "We're not really supposed to talk about it, but I can answer questions if I know how to." They're not misrepresenting facts, they're presenting JUST the facts.

Anyone in the high school who feels as if they are being told its their fault just doesn't have a grip on reality and obviously has problems at home. No teacher is irresponsible enough to tell a kid something like that. Furthermore, there are few students who are "stressed" about anything to do with the strike. It's exactly the opposite because we have more time to do homework, projects, and papers that would've been due tomorrow or friday. Also, you're saying that most teachers don't want the strike. That's correct; they don't want this strike anymore than we do. But they SUPPORT the strike, and that's the difference. You're just like the board in that you're skewing things with the way you state them. No one WANTS to strike. Most teachers love their jobs or they wouldn't be teachers... to say that they'd rather be on a picket line than in a classroom is asinine.

Please be reasonable in sharing your thoughts. Some of your claims are absolutely off-base. Perhaps you should be IN the school and you would know what's going on. The teachers present both sides of the issue and if you ask questions, they will answer them. I asked about the freezing of the pay scale and was given a straight answer. Others asked when we would be back and were given a straight answer. Those are the facts.

OK, while trying to type with a group of kids talking to me, I see I have a ton of grammatical and spelling mistakes, just wanted to let everyone know I am aware of them, but can't figure out how to fix them, no I am not illiterate, just thought I'd point out the humor in that, funny to me, at least!

I hope that the parents and students also show up during this strike to protest and let their feelings be known. Maybe we need to hold our own strike and keep our kids home if the negatitivy is allowed to continue, maybe parents need to be sitting in on the classrooms to ensure our own students are bullied.

I, for one, have had it with all this childishness from the teachers, and I realize that the union is not representing all the teachers, in fact, most don't want the strike and are equally upset. But overall the tone and attitude is not a healthy one for the kids and should be stopped immediately.

The press is not being allowed in the schools, which, while I support in theory, maybe should be in there to ensure that the kdis are being treated with respect and not made to feel like it is there fault.

This is like a bad divorce where the kids are used as pawns and I am appalled and disgusted. We homeschool one of our kids and now are seriously considering homeschooling the others.

Grow up! Act like the adults you say you are and teach the kids how to resolve differences and disputes without resorting to blackmail, bullying, guilt, and acting like a bunch of children stomping around because you don't get your way, that's not negotiating!

I respect the previous posters ideas about setting the tone, however, the tone has been set in the classrooms by the teachers themselves. My daughters high school econ teacher actually copied all these posts and today read them in the classroom and proceeded to argue with the students about the posts and the facts. The younger children are hearing tales of not being able to buy groceries, may car payments, even told by some that the teachers can't live in nice houses like some of you.

why is that allowed to continue, I believe the teachers should be reprimanded for these events. For those of us with kids in the district, they are beating us to death with the anti-bullying campaign, well, shouldn't that apply to the teachers also? Why are they being allowed to have these children being forced to sit and listen to their one sided proproganda.

My senior told me today it turned ugly at the high school, the students decided they were going to do a walk out for a period of time to protest, after all, this is EXACTLY WHAT THE TEACHERS ARE TEACHING THEM TO DO TO RESOLVE CONFLICT. Police were called, students were threatened with physical violence (being moved and held until police showed up), police were called, and detention and other punishments were threatened for any student who spoke to the press or who protested during the strike.

Isn't that bullying? Where are the civil rights attorneys? I am about ready to pull my kids and let them finish at home, my senior is so stressed, along with all her friends, the threats of delayed graduation, canceling field trips, events, activities, and the overall negativitiy in the classroom is absolutely ridiculous and shouldn't be tolerated.

I apologize for the oops. It should read dominate the dinner table.

We have 3 adult children. During the time they were students we experienced a teacher strike while in the West Shore School District and again when we moved to CV. Our children graduated between 1996 and 1999. I am going back a few years. But, without a doubt I can say the media, the teachers, and the press had very little influence on how our children and the majority of the students reacted to the strike. The parents were the ones that set the tone for the return to classroom. I am not taking sides in this issue, other than to remind everyone that the most important thing is for the students to get a good education. Please don't allow personal feelings about the school or the teachers to nominate your dinner conversation.

Ps. For the other people on the news that commented in about firing all the teachers at CV-then you would be firing all those teachers who have made CV one of the three school districts in the state that have the highest PSSA scores. For a school district being so huge, this is a very hard task to accomplish.

Yesterday on the news, someone did refer to the teachers as "babysitters". I love my job- never said that I didn't- the press does not change my attitude as a teacher. I don't support a strike but I do support what CV is going through. And good for you as a parent to be involved in your child's life- that was for people who think that all teachers do is teach 5 hours a day and go home every night not worrying about children- for the people that think teaching is an easy job. Teachers are there for children- not for money. That was my point.

CV School Board:

Thanks for your distortion of the facts concerning the teacher negotiations. The teachers, as well as the public deserve the unbiased truth of the negotiations where salary increases are concerned! A straight 4.45% increase in the first two years is not a salary increase for ALL teachers across the board as you and the board imply to the general public. I am certain that you would not work for nothing, nor would you work without a yearly raise. The Cumberland Valley school district did not get to its ranking in Pennsylvania by not having great, hard working teachers. Let's keep the good teachers we have and by way of that continue our high ranking among Pennsylvania schools. As you stated in the March 24, 2008 news release "Our community is growing rapidly and we must provide our students the skills, knowledge, talents and technologies of the 21st century. Our vision is to prepare students for their future, not our pasts." Show the teachers, students and parents of Cumberland Valley school district that you mean what you say by giving the teachers the salary increase they have asked for and deserve. Let's show our kids that we are truly preparing them for their futures.

You will understand one day when you are paying for a mortgage, a family, food, water, sewer, electricity and a telephone. ????????? Really! does this job come with goverment housing too? do teachers not pay bills? RaisinGirl, you make me laugh. Leave the comments to people that understand te issues.

Dearest Babyblue21 -- As a parent, I did all of the things you are claiming that the teacher's have to do, and that's why I have an honor student at CV. No one on this comment list referred to teachers as "babysitters" - just you. Perhaps you need a break from teaching. Clearly, it's beginning to take its toll on your attitude. And that's NOT in the best interest of any of your students.

To those people who comment that teachers are just "babysitters" or need to suck it up. I am a teacher and if you think that we just babysit your kids and that we're overpaid then do us all a favor, homeschool your children. Teach them about math, reading, how to tie their shoes, how to get along with others, how to control themselves- and then tell me how hard it is to educate a child. If you haven't noticed, teachers are under pressure everyday by peers, PARENTS, AND THE GOVERNMENT. You think you can keep up with No Child Left Behind, then take it in your own hands and teach your child. Being from the highest paid school districts in Central Penn, we are clearly still not paid enough. You think we work 7-3:30 and have summers off. Plan a lesson- go to a summer academy- stay and talk to parents during conferences. Because if we got paid by the hour- we would be one of the richest employees of the state.

I am a teacher and I support CV teachers...

Can anyone explain to me why the teachers are saying that they would receive no pay raise in this contract due to not being allowed to increase step level? If you look at the district's pay chart, in year one, a teacher with 10years experience with a masters would get paid $49846 per year. In year two, they would get paid $52,277. In year three, they would get paid $54,860. In year four, they would get paid $57651. This works out to be about 4.6% per year or about or around $2400 per year increase. As the steps go higher, the percentage goes down to about 4% which still is not bad. This is a larger increase than anyone else is getting. Why is the teachers union giving out false information that teachers will not be getting a raise under the new contract? I do not want to hear about the increase in healthcare contribution. Everyone is paying more. Please explain this numbers game. The teachers union is PLAYING GAMES!!

To nfanion ... you have to understand the average person in this debate. The average teacher's salary in your school's district is about $48,000 a year. This is for working 9 months.

The average person out here isn't making that much money per year and we work the entire 12 months, no summers off and barely can get a full week of vacation. So we as dedicated working citizens, we make less money, have to pay outrageous prices for our healthcare and don't get nearly a 4% raise per year. This is why we don't have much compassion for the teacher's arguments.

You will understand one day when you are paying for a mortgage, a family, food, water, sewer, electricity and a telephone. It's not easy for anyone right now and it's really hard to sympathize with the teachers who are already making more money and working less time.

Maybe they should start acting like they do care. Parents and students spoke out at the board meetings and they obviously aren't listening. I'm not on the sidelines - I'm on the field with the rest of my fellow students.

I'm at a loss as to how anyone can think that the Board members "don't care about teachers or students". They don't get paid a single penny for the job -- and the hassle in CV's case -- that they take on when they are elected. Quite sincerely, I believe they care more than any one of us who are sitting on the sidelines doing our armchair quarterbacking through this whole thing.

CV2010Parent,

The meeting had been going on for hours before the union left. The board decided to stop negotiating through the mediator and presented their misleading proposal. They changed to overall pool of money set aside for teacher salaries and froze step movement for three years. Once they saw this, the union rejected the proposal (rightfully so, it's insulting).

The percentages increase this pool. All the individual teachers aren't get 4%+ raises. Percentages mean nothing without real numbers.

I recently got a 10% raise. I'm a student with a part time job, my hourly wage went from $8.00 to $8.80. Do you see that me saying that I got a 10% raise is deceptive? Sure, it's true, but it doesn't mean I'm making more money than those of you who claim you never get 4% raises.

Some of you need to open your eyes and get informed. You can't trust the boards spin - they don't care about teachers or students.

If I wasn't happy with my raise (or any unwanted situation) and would go on strike (along with co-workers); not only would I be standing the picket line, I would also be standing in the unemployment line. Like most working-class American's, I would start looking for another job if I was that unhappy. Instead of spending my time making silly signs, I would be submitting resumes.

I wish I had a contract that included a 4+% raise every year -- we don't even know if we will get a raise and of the raises that we have gotten in 17 years on the job (as an Administrative Assistant for a company) the max was 3% -- and that was 4 years of the 17 and they were not consecutive. With the economy with way it is we pay part of our insurance, we loose our insurance coverage at retirement, and raises are a blessing.

I would just like to say that the students are the ones who truly suffer in these situations. I'm glad my tax dollars are spent towards adults who want to throw education aside (job responsibilities) when they don't get their way. The last I read, employment in PA is "at will." If you are not happy with your job, please resign and let someone who wants to teach fill your position.

Ok, if you insist. From CV's own school board:

http://www.cvschools.org/school_board.cfm?subpage=16915

06-07 millages: Cumberland Valley - 9.55 West Shore - 9.9 South Middleton - 11.15 East Penn - 11.78 Shippensburg - 12.4 Carlisle - 12.58 Camp Hill - 12.77 Mechanicsburg - 12.83 Big Spring - 13.36

That's just Cumberland County. Would you like Dauphin's, too?

http://www.cdschools.org/cdsd/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=301304

(None less than 13.54, many much higher!)

Feel free to look at York County, as well! http://www.rockrealestate.net/millage-york.htm

(Take out West Shore - again, none less than 13.87, and again, many much higher!)

When you find one less than CV, please let me know.

Member27

I stated that CV's taxes are the lowest in the midstate, which is 100% true.Prove it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Back up your statement with hard data.

CV2010Parent -- Keep this in mind. You can vote on the poll as many times as you want. Even WHTM's own staff would tell you how completely unscientific and unreliable the results of a website poll where a person can vote multiple times is.

Also, you questioned a comment I made earlier. I stated that CV's taxes are the lowest in the midstate, which is 100% true. I'm not sure what other "fact" you are looking for.

Keep this in mind tonight............................

abc27 NewsPulse Poll In your opinion, who is at fault for the Cumberland Valley Teachers' Strike? The Teachers 65% The School Board 35% Total: 1829 votes

I agree, the board needs to remain solid and not give into the teachers union. Total disruption of familes and kids just to prove a point. Just plain stupid!!!!!!!!!

If the teachers union really wanted to understand this point they would not have walked out of the meeting in 3 minutes Monday night. Don't give an inch.