South Western educators condemn school board members, allege unfair labor practice

GROVE CITY, Ohio (WCMH) -- Just weeks before South Western City Schools returns from summer break, the district's educators' union is calling out school board members who they feel do not appropriately support public schools.

"Based on what has happened in previous events leading up to this, if President Chris Boso is the one running our school board, we do not believe that our students will receive the high quality education that they deserve," South-Western Education Association (SWEA) spokesperson Emmalee Harding said.

Three South Western school board seats are on the ballot this year, including Boso's. After existing tensions grew during union contract negotiations this summer, SWEA has begun formally opposing Boso and fellow board member Julie Liskany's actions. On July 23, SWEA even filed a labor complaint with the state regarding Liskany and Boso's comments at a school board meeting. See previous coverage of contract negotiations in the video player above.

Harding said the union does not believe Boso has students' best interests in mind. She pointed to the school board's decision to join conservative groups with controversial beliefs as an ongoing concern. Boso and the school board said they joined the groups to get a diverse perspective.

"By aligning yourself with these groups, you are guilty by association," Harding said.

SWEA's contract expired this summer, and the new contract was approved by union and board members on July 10 in two separate meetings. Before the board met, SWEA released a statement acknowledging the bargaining process went differently than in previous years.

In the statement, Harding, speaking on behalf of the union, alleged the board "attacked" important parts of the contract and thanked community members for helping SWEA "fight off" the board's changes. Within hours, Boso read Harding's words aloud at a board meeting and voiced frustration with the union's leadership.

“When I read that, I was appalled,” Boso said. “This deal would have got made without all this. Without the -- and you can quote me -- hysteria in this district that brought negative publicity toward this school district.”

Liskany, who is not up for reelection, also criticized SWEA. She alleged the union was using membership fees to "get political" and unseat board members in the upcoming election. SWEA clarified it does not use union dues to support and endorse candidates. Instead, it will use PAC funds to support school board candidates who they feel support the same goals as educators.

"Doing what's best for your students and finding what's best for your students is not political," Harding said.

Boso and Liskany's comments led SWEA to file an unfair labor practice charge with the state. The union alleges Boso and Liskany were trying to discourage SWEA members from similar union contract negotiations in the future, which the union interpreted as an attempt to inhibit union activity. Ohio law prohibits employers from interfering with union business.

Harding said Boso and Liskany declined mediation, so the claim will go to state investigators to determine if there was a labor law violation. A district spokesperson said South Western schools honors employee rights, and the district cannot comment further to protect the state review of SWEA's concerns. The state has yet to announce whether it believes SWEA's concerns are accurate.

On Aug. 27, SWEA is hosting a board of education candidate forum so teachers and community members can meet the candidates and ask questions. Harding said the union will endorse candidates after that event.