The Herald, Sharon, PA Published Saturday, March 30, 2002

HERMITAGE

Strike delays park/rec program

By Sherris Moreira-Byers
Herald Staff Writer

As Hickory High School seniors rearrange their summers to accommodate a new graduation date, another part of the community has also been affected by the seven-day teachers strike that changed the last day of school from June 5 to June 14.

"At this point, we would be about one week late," said Hermitage Parks and Recreation Director Ed Chess, concerning the six-week summer program the department sponsors. "But if they go on strike again, and it pushes us to the end of June, that may cut it short."

Hermitage teachers went on strike after negotiations between the board and the 165-member Hermitage Education Association broke down March 19. Teachers were on strike from March 21 through Friday.

To fulfill the state-mandated 180 days of school, an extra week was added onto the students' school year.

The summer recreation program, which includes arts and crafts, soccer, cheerleading, tennis and computer courses, was originally scheduled to start June 10, but has been rescheduled to June 17 because of the strike.

If the last day of school remains June 14, everything should be fine, Chess said, but if the teachers go back on strike after the arbitrator rules, then everything is up in the air.

"We'll have to make some adjustments," he said, adding that some things may not adjust if the teachers go back on strike and the kids stay in school until the end of June.

"I pretty much use all the school buildings in some capacity," he said, adding that there are also some Hermitage teachers who run some of the sports programs.

Having to wait for the school buildings and some of the teachers who teach in the recreation program could conceivably push the sessions well into August.

"It might be a little bit shorter of a program. We would make due with what was left," Chess said, adding that he would meet with the recreation board before any decision was made.

The availability of the pool in Buhl Farm park for their swimming program may also change if a second strike occurs.

About 350 Hermitage children, mostly second- through eighth-graders, take the programs, Chess said, and that number could be reduced by the school date change as well.

"My target date to have everything to the printers is two weeks from now," Chess said, adding that in case of a second strike, they may include a contingency plan along with the summer recreation brochure.

"It may get sent out a little later in May so that we'll have a better handle on the situation," he said.

For more information about the summer program offered by Hermitage Parks and Recreation, call (724) 981-0800.



Back to TOP // Herald Local news // Local this day's headlines // Herald Home page



Questions/comments: online@sharon-herald.com
For info about advertising on our site or Web-site creation: advertising@sharon-herald.com
Copyright ©2002 The Sharon Herald Co. All rights reserved.
Reproduction or retransmission in any form is prohibited without our permission.

'10615