web1_TTL122016fulton2.jpg

Man who allegedly strangled infant, escaped police custody was apprehended

web1_TTL121916rotarian.award_.jpg

Plains Rotarian awarded service citation

<p>DALLAS TWP. &#8212; Colleen Davis said she was &#8220;relieved&#8221; that the teachers strike had ended as she dropped off her children at Dallas High School and Middle School on Monday.</p><p>The Dallas School District campus was a flurry of activity Monday as teachers and students returned to the classrooms following a 22-day strike.</p><p>However, the hustle of the morning school routine may be interrupted by a work stoppage once again.</p><p>Dallas School District Solicitor Vito DeLuca said Michael Cherinka, president of the Dallas Education Association, on Monday handed Superintendent Thomas Duffy a notice of intent to strike Feb. 27, unless an agreement on a contract is reached.</p><p>&#8220;This is a dynamic situation,&#8221; DeLuca said. &#8220;You can&#8217;t plan for it.</p><p>&#8220;Strikes are meant to disrupt.&#8221;</p><p>Teachers can strike twice in one school year, according to a state law known as &#8220;Act 88.&#8221; The first strike must end in time for the district to complete the state-required 180 days of school by June 15. A second strike must end in time to complete the 180 days by June 30. Once a strike starts, the state Department of Education calculates a strike-end date.</p><p>The teachers went on strike Nov. 14, and the Department of Education ruled that school would resume Dec. 13. However, the union argued that the school board&#8217;s decision to tentatively move the last day of school to June 26 invalidated the order to return on Dec. 13.</p><p>The teachers would strike for an additional four days before announcing they would return to work on Monday.</p><p>For many district families, the day marked the restarting of the academic year and a sense of normalcy.</p><p>Kelly Dickson said it felt like the first day of school all over again as she dropped off her two children at the middle school.</p><p>Dickson said her children were apprehensive about returning to school because of the effect the time off had on exams.</p><p>&#8220;They had tests and projects scheduled before the strike, &#8221; Dickson said. &#8220;They are unsure of what they are walking into.&#8221;</p><p>Dickson was happy that the teachers came back and &#8220;did not wait until after Christmas&#8221; to return.</p><p>&#8220;The kids are the ones who suffer,&#8221; Dickson said. &#8220;It is unfair to the students.&#8221;</p><p>Students are still unsure if they will be in class during what was supposed to be their winter break. The district is waiting for the state Department of Education to analyze the school calender and make a determination, DeLuca said.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Dallas-Strike-1.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Buses arrive Dallas Middle and High Schools bringing students pack to class Monday morning following a 22-day teachers&#8217; strike. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Dallas-Strike-1.jpg</photo0><caption0>Buses arrive Dallas Middle and High Schools bringing students pack to class Monday morning following a 22-day teachers&#8217; strike. </caption0><photoCredit0>Tony Callaio | For Times Leader </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><subheadMeta>Union issues strike notice for Feb. 27</subheadMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Eileen Godin</p><p>egodin@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Eileen Godin at 570-991-6387 or on Twitter @TLNews</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Dallas School District students, teachers head back to class