For Immediate Release

November 2, 2016
Louisville City Schools Open During Teachers Strike
The Louisville Board of Education and Administration were disappointed to learn that the
members of the Louisville Education Association (LEA) voted to reject the recommendations
outlined in the fact finders official report that was filed with the State Employment Relations
Board on Friday, October 28, 2016. The Board approved the report during a special meeting held
at 8:00am on Monday, October 31, 2016.
The Board has been negotiating with LEA members since April and believes that they have
offered a fair and equitable contract. Negotiations have included multiple bargaining meetings,
mediation, and fact-finding: a process that is outlined and agreed upon by both parties in the
previous contract.
Our goal from the start was to negotiate a contract that is responsible to the community and fair
for our teachers. We feel that the recommendations of the fact finder accomplishes these goals,
said Superintendent of Schools Michele Shaffer.
Schools will remain open during the strike, and the District has been working to ensure a safe
environment and make the day as normal as possible for students. Certificated teachers, all of
whom meet the certification requirements of the State Department of Education and have passed
criminal background checks, will be instructing classes in all of the buildings. Teachers employed
are required to use lesson plans and present daily summaries to the principal identifying what was
covered in class and what is being planned for the next days instruction.
We had hoped to reach a settlement, but we have been preparing for the possibility of a strike in
order to minimize the impact on students and families, added Shaffer. We value our teachers
and their work with our students and remain committed to reaching a fair contract.

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