The ongoing negotiations between Champion Local Schools and the Champion Education Association have hit a snag.

The union currently has a ten-day strike notice in effect as the issues between the two sides are still unresolved.

The Champion Education Association (CEA) hosted an event Tuesday evening explaining the strike notice to students, parents, and community members, as well as explaining what they want to be done for the district and its students. 

This comes after the Champion School Board posted a message on its Facebook page to the residents of Champion Township, which it said was a message of transparency.

In the post, the board said it had made its last and best offer to the union as of Friday, August 6, and the decision to accept and start school on time rests with the union.

According to the board, their offer contains the following:

  • A 2.15% salary increase in years one, two, and three of the contract
  • A $1,850 increase for those with Master's degrees and 20 years experience for each year on top of the 2.15% increase
  • New step raises with 22 years of teaching.
  • $400 sick or personal leave incentive and a $250 stipend per teacher to ratify the contract.

The school board released the salaries of teachers in the district on their Facebook page Tuesday afternoon. They reiterated that Friday's offer was their best and final offer to the union.

In a statement, Superintendent John Grabowski said the union could take the final offer to its membership and let them decide if they will be in the classroom on the 16th.

Union members told 21 News they have issued a counter-proposal to the board's offer and want to resolve things before August 16th, the first day of school.

James Sheldon, CEA spokesperson, and teacher believes the issues can be resolved.

"We just think that if we can meet before August 16th, we can resolve this. We're asking the school board to do that," said Sheldon. "We think that if the voice of the teachers isn't going to be heard, the voice of the community will."