Q: How long can a strike last if the union walks off the job effective January 23rd?
A: Under state law, the union members could strike for as many as 12 days before being required to return to work.
Q: Is there a plan by which the District could continue to operate schools during a strike?
A: No. Regular school operations would cease if the teachers strike. There is no plan to staff classrooms with either substitute teachers and/or administrators. The District will regularly communicate with families/students during the duration of a work stoppage, including any information regarding the resumption of operations.
Q: How does a strike affect the school calendar?
A: Currently the Wilson School District has 182 student instructional days.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania only requires 180 student instructional days. Therefore, if Wilson teachers strike for 2 days or less, the Wilson SD will revert to the Commonwealth of PA requirement of a 180 school day schedule and no changes to our school calendar will take place. If the strike goes longer than 2 days, the school calendar will be adjusted and those changes will be communicated.
Q: What would happen to students participating in athletics and other extracurricular activities?
A: All athletic events, including all practices (both on and off-site) and all PIAA contests will be cancelled with the possibility of forfeiture; and non-athletic extracurricular activities, including school trips, will not be permitted.
Q: In the event the union strikes, would striking teachers continue to be paid?
A: Under state law, striking public employees receive neither their salary nor benefits during the duration of the job action. Each striking member would receive information on how to purchase medical benefits through the district in the event of a strike.
Q: In the event of a strike, would seniors still be able to graduate on time?
A: Yes, based on the union’s notification, it would still be possible for Wilson school district seniors to graduate as scheduled in June.
Q: How would a strike impact students who request transcripts and career counseling.
A: Administration and Support Staff would provide those services during the work stoppage.
Q: How would a strike affect Administration and Support Staff?
A: All administration and 12-month Administrative Staff will work throughout a strike. However, 10-month employees who support students will not work during the strike.
Q: Would the Wilson Child Care and Berkshire Heights Preschool continue to operate if there is a strike?
A: Before and After School Child Care will be available for all District contracted child care children in the event of a teacher strike. Child Care will be available at Cornwall Terrace Elementary School from 6:30 am- 6:00 pm on days that school is not in session. The Berkshire Heights Preschool will not be affected at all; that facility will be open as normal.
Q: Would community use of school buildings continue?
A: Yes, outside groups will continue to be able to use the buildings as scheduled.
Q: Would Career Tech and Intermediate Unit programs be affected by a strike?
A: Generally not– there may be some exceptions and families/students will be advised accordingly.
Q: Will Wilson’s Virtual Academy (WVA) students be affected?
A: The WVA will continue to operate under its normal parameters. Students enrolled in partial WVA classes should continue their WVA studies.