The Pleasant Valley School District teachers’ union drew a line in the sand this week as the board announces more contract negotiations.

If an agreement isn’t reached by Feb. 28, 2022, the union plans to strike.

Superintendent James Konrad said he received a letter earlier in the day on Thursday from Drew Dymond, the president of the Pleasant Valley Education Association. The letter stated that it was official notification that they will start a lawful strike at 12:01 a.m. on Feb. 28, 2022.”

The negotiation representatives for the board are newly elected Director Diane Serfass; Director Norm Burger, who is the chairman of the finance committee; and newly elected Director Michael Galler.

“Mike, Norm and I look forward to engaging the association on the new contract,” Serfass said. “The board’s goal is clear: enter into a contract with the association that is sustainable considering the financial conditions of the district.”

She said the contract must balance the needs of the teachers with the fiscal impact on taxpayers. “Rising health care, pension and charter school costs continue to put significant pressure on the district’s budget. However, we look forward to working with the association over the next few months to partner in finding a way to ensure a stable and successful future with the Pleasant Valley School District.”

The school district has scheduled a meeting for Jan. 13 with a state mediator and a face-to-face meeting on Jan. 18 with the parties involved, Serfass said.

The teachers’ contract with the district expired on June 30, 2021, but they have continued to work in accordance with those terms and continue to get paid and receive benefits, Serfass said.

During the public comment portion at the end of the meeting, Dymond spoke to the school board. The last time he spoke at a school board meeting was in November when he and several teachers filled the seats at the back of the auditorium.

“The last time we negotiated with the board was back on Oct. 13. Our negotiations team met with the mediator back on Tuesday, Nov. 30. As a result of no progress the last two months and nothing officially scheduled until Jan. 18, which we just heard about that when it became official from the board,” he said. “We have given Dr. Konrad a strike date of Feb. 28. Now, it is our hope a strike will not come to fruition and we can put the focus back on our students. We are optimistic about working with the board’s new negotiation team and our new permanent superintendent. Our team looks forward to negotiating a fair and reasonable contract. We hope to hear from you soon.”