[originaltext] Once again in Richfield Heights today, there were no classes

Once again in Richfield Heights today, there were no classes in the public elementary and secondary schools. This marks the eleventh day that the schools in that community have remained closed. Teachers are still on strike despite the back-to-work order issued yester day by the District Court. A spokesperson for the Teacher’s Union stated at a press conference today that the strike would continue until such time as the School Committee agrees to a public hearing to settle the dispute. According to the spokesperson, wages are not an issue in the dispute. At issue is a new rule passed by the School Committee, which eliminates paid sick leave from the teachers’ contract. Under the new contract, teachers would receive no salary for any day on which they failed to appear due to illness. School administrators, on the other hand, would continue to receive fifteen days of paid sick leave annually. The Parent Board, which was initially sympathetic to the teachers’ position, has urged the teachers to return to work until a settlement can be reached. Spokespersons for the School Committee are refusing to comment on the latest developments.