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Show No winners in teachers' strike Who wins wlien the teachers strike? Nobody. Everyone involved in the negotiations for contracts for teachers in the Alpine School District knows that. That's why teacher representatives and administrators ad-ministrators from the district went back to the bargaining table Monday after a federal mediator was unable to bring both sides in this uncomfortable struggle together. Before that, both administrators and teachers had compromised to a degree on what each would accept in the way of a contract for the teachers. Salaries and benefits had moved towards a central point until district officials determined a week ago they would give no more, because they had no more to give. The figures in the negotiations are fuzzy, with steps and lanes complicating figures from which school board patrons can determine how much teachers actually earn, and how liberal or conservative teacher benefits really are. But the bottom line is teachers want a base pay raise that is one percent above the District's final offer. In addition, teachers want to retain sick pay and personal leave policies that district officials feel are too liberal. And while both sides are still willing to talk, its questionable how much movement is being made towards an acceptable compromise that will keep the process of education running smoothly. Unfortunately, the alternative to talking in this situation is usually a strike - and, as stated before, nobody wins when teachers strike. Alpine Supt. Clark Cox has made it clear what the district will do if there is a strike. School doors will remain open and citizens will be asked to take over while the teachers wait them out. Teachers will have to decide whether they think it is ethical for a teacher to leave his or her students - and many will remain in the classroom. Parents will have to decide if they will send their children to schools that are understaffed and to classrooms that may be undertaught. District officials will be faced with the challenge of keeping the whole program operating under the most difficult of circumstances. But those who will be hurt the most are the children --those --those the entire education system is supposed to serve. It isn't hard to imagine the problems that could be encountered en-countered as children have to enter their classroom while their teachers remain outside brandishing placards. ;..... Certainly, the welfare of these students should remain a top priority as negotiations continue, so that the negotiating might continue in good faith, and continue moving towards a satisfactory resolution. Where our children are concerned, a strike under any conditions is a no win situation. |