Board makes offer to Newton Falls teachers

NEWTON FALLS — After a 12-hour negotiating session Wednesday, the Newton Falls Board of Education has given its 84-member teacher’s union its “last best offer” and is hoping the union will approve the offer at 4:30 p.m. today.

The union plans to discuss the offer with its membership and possibly take a vote, said David Wilson, school superintendent.

If the offer is rejected, the union could be walking a picket line at 6 a.m. Friday — the deadline the union gave the district when it issued a 10-day strike notice late last month.

Wilson said the district has been advertising for replacement teachers to staff the building starting Friday so schools can remain open.

“The board’s orders are to keep the school open,” Wilson said.

The superintendent would not discuss specifics of the board’s latest offer but said it is “something the board can live with in light of cutting busing.”

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.