Strike Three

Or should I say Strike Day Three, which will hit the Capistrano Unified School District on Monday:

Teachers say they will be returning to the picket lines Monday after no compromise was reached in negotiations between the Capistrano Unified School District and its teachers after a weekend of negotiations.

After 9:00 p.m. Sunday, talks between the teachers and the district had ended for the night, solidifying the teachers resolution to continue the strike, says California Teachers Association spokesperson Bill Guy.

Negotiations are set to resume at 11 a.m. Monday, but the teachers plan to continue their strike until a resolution is reached, Guy said.

Attendance on Day 1 (Thursday) was about 50% of usual, 30% on Friday, and with it heading into a third day I have to wonder if anyone will show up?

From what I heard the schools were definitely better organized on Friday, but with fewer students the job had to be a little easier. Parents don't want their students to be babysat all day, they want them taught, especially those students who have AP and Star testing coming up. Students are also missing sports, theater, and other activities due to the strike.

And this strike isn't just affecting CUSD schools.  When the leagues were realigned by the CIF a few years ago Mission Viejo High, a Saddleback district school, was put in a league with five CUSD high schools.  Mission has now had all league games canceled until the strike is over, and that could have an effect on young athletes who might be scouted by colleges.

The teachers seem to have the sympathy of many of the parents and students at this point, but that could turn very quickly as people get frustrated with the whole thing and the opportunities lost.