This photo is more powerful than all comments to the School Board COMBINED.
Shame on YOU, insensitive and CRUEL teachers!!! Have you no conscience left in you???

Well said Charles.

These teachers need to learn a lesson from the teachers in the Chester Upland district since that is where Neshaminy is heading if they don't get a reality check and get over their greed!

The picture sends a powerful message. The soldier will be unable to strike because of his allegiance to the United States and the Commander in Chief. It makes you wonder though, where are the teachers allegiance to, Ms. Boyd and the Union, or the children.

Unions built this country, and the school board is equally at fault for not negotiating a fair deal. Her sign should read "I could care less about the teachers, unless it causes my bratty kids to have to stay home with me" .... Simply another ignorant person with an ill informed opinion

That is very comical to me. . . someone who serves for our military goes out and does something she thinks is clever and right since I guess 'she' is held to a higher standard for what she does. and probably has zero clue what the strike is actually for and the unjust argument going on between the board and our teachers. There not striking because of greed you ignoramus of a soldier. . .and the reason your mad is because "no one messes with my kid". . . yeah well news flash miss ignoramus of our country, no one messes with anyones kids, and if they do they'l get a good old fashioned ass whoopin. and if they don't then your just not that good of a parent. But anyway nice sign and uniform, go back to your house and hang with your kid maybe make her dinner, let the teachers strike for what is fair, and maybe contact the bunch of dickheaded board members who can't see the simple solution is to raise taxes around here, or move to another district. simple as that

Gonna have the nerve to go out and talk and hold up a sign like these teachers don't care about the kids, well heres another news flash, there may be some who care and some who frankly don't give a shit about your brat ass kids, but honestly thats not here nor there, it's about an unfair agreement in their jobs and for some teachers who have been with this district for a decade, two decades and then some, they damn right should not have to stand for "one-way" attitude of the board. The rich want to get richer and save every penny they can from these teachers, but oh wait its the teachers fault and now they don't care about the kids. Get the fuck outta here and do some research, or hey maybe ask one of the teachers why their doing this. that should clear it up for you. I doubt they'll say anything but things you would do the same thing for.

Funny, the comments here, those for the board have not one profane word, those supporting the NFT are vulgar. Hmmmmmm. No further comment.

I will have to respond to Jimbo. Your response is certainly not that of a mature adult, and I would have to think that you either are a teacher or married to one of the them. Either way you validate my point displaying lack of professionalism, integrity, and you certainly have an uneducated way of expressing your opinion and poor grammar usage.

Jimbo is totally clueless and vulgar! I truly hope he is not a teacher, because if he is, he validates the reason for Board sanctioned dismissal in a new contract.

Although I understand his frustation, I am sure "Jimbo"is not a teacher. The teachers are trying to settle a contract that should have been settled 4 year ago. They are following the only legal option that has been given them. How many of the working parents out there would work for a business that did not honor their promises. Arbitration was tried, the school board disregarded the recommendations. The present negotiations were discontinued by your board. There is much more involved in this contract then money!! Please get the facts. Ask your school board members for specifics and not just buzz-words for the press. Yes, I am a teacher but I work in a parochial school and not in your district. I am appalled by the arrogant stance of your school board. If you think they are helping your children or school, you are sadly mistaken.

I don't think this is fair to teachers. It takes two to tango and this won't go on forever which means a resolution where both sides are satisfied is possible with cooperation from BOTH sides. I'm not a teacher nor am i married to one, but I know enough teachers to know how much of themselves they give to the children they teach. Its far from a 9-5 job with lesson planning and grading, not to mentioned required continued education often in the evenings, and it takes a lot of energy to manage that many kids all day, no matter the age. Yes they get an extended break in the summer, but most teachers I know still work in some form over the summer to maintain their finances. The district has benefited for years now from the teachers' apprehension to take action that would affect the students. The district should step up to the plate- or accept their part of the responsibility for this strike.

Did anyone considered that this solider also gets her health care paid for by tax dollars I wonder if she would be react the same way, if all of sudden the public stop find the importantance in her job.

Finding*

If that woman doesn't put a tear in your eye, what will? God bless Shawna Frey! I believe it is encumbent upon the school board to FIRE these striking teachers and get some new blood in there, now. What are they waiting for?

Very obvious teachers are getting on here and voting numerous times about a strike benefitting the teachers- it benefits no one.
Previous school boards gave away the farm, to continue to do so we will end up like
Chester- Upland quickly.
News flash- most Neshaminy teachers would accept the board's current offer
in a nanosecond IF they were not afraid of the UNION. There have already been tires slashed, cars keyed, threats and harassment from these so-call professionals who hold masters and Phds funded by the taxpayers!! The NFT is a dictatorship that
have the BIG union behind them. The NFT is deleting anything negative on Facebook
and not letting those who posted re-post. If the teachers in the NFT speaking in favor of the union really were there for the kids and not their pocketbooks- they would have settled for what our FISCALLY responsible school board has proposed. Also, I tried to leave a message to go back to school to the NFT- the phone rang and rang and no way to leave a message. On the first day of the strike- their message box was full.
Accept what our school board is offering NOW.

way to go sarge :)

Yesterday and today there has been inclement weather; will Louise Boyd please tell us why the Teachers are not out there on the "Strike Line" walking as they should be? Are they not able to tolerate the inclement weather like other professions who work outside in this weather? I find it rather ridiculous they are not out there walking their Strike Line in bad weather, but only in "fair weather" - kind of shows how important this issue is to them - NOT. If it truly was that important, rain or snow, they would be out there bundled up and walking that Strike Line!!! But alas, Louise Boyd has given them two days off, or someone with authority has.

LOL @ "fearless leaders" ....you mean all those courageous souls wearing SUNGLASSES out protesting with their signs?

The board should have a job fair..between the catholic HS teachers and the Chester-Upland teachers, they can replace all those strikers.

Well put Linda Sheridan.

Response to Rachel's post - Wow - you are totally clueless and unappreciative of the efforts of those in the military do upon our behalf. I am happy to know that at least our tax dollars are providing for those who have sacrificed more than we will ever be able to comprehend. Rachel, why not suit up and join the military. Just from your stupid response, I do not think you will even make it through boot camp.

i also should have said on Rachel's behalf that they will always defend people like her and Jimbo too, cause that's just what we do :)

I am sadden by this image, A National Guard Member is protesting against one of the rights she is sworn to protect. What right should we protest against next? Voting? The Teachers have a right to strike and protest, She has a right to protest and Unionize and strike in her other Job. I have been horrified that there is this growing need in this country to get rid of our rights. You may agree with the board or you may agree with the teachers but we should not sit here and say that we should give up our rights. That has been the sentiment I have heard from the supporters of the board and the belief Ms Frey seems to be stating.

You get what you negotiate , not what you're worth.

Patrick, it's just possible that unions have served their purpose and now, like other institutions, they have become corrupt. I have not even one good experience with unions so far. Union individuals have harrassed, threatened, hurt and even killed inoocent people. I don't have a union where I work and while I may not like the things that go on there from time to time, I know where the door is if I want to leave and find something else. So, it sounds to me like you're saying, Patrick, that as a taxpaying American citizen, Ms. Frey is not permitted to exercise HER right to peacefully protest because she is in the military and sworn to protect that right? While I definitely agree that there seems to be a systematic and gradual movement to remove the rights we hold dear in this country, Ms. Frey has EVERY right to protest what she probably feels is an afront and damaging to her child.

Team Teachers!!!!! They deserve a fantastic contract... They educate these children with the skills they need to succeed in this crazy world. To make themselves into something worth wild. And if the kids fail to use what's given to them then shame on them. Give them a fair contract that they deserve and get these kids back to school. If the school board can't do it then that an arbitrator handle it!

No, the PARENTS should be educating their children to succeed in this crazy world- not the teachers. But I'm not sure what the "worth wild" refers to....Their contract right now is so much more than fair. But, you see, extortion leaves a bitter taste in my mouth....

I looked at the the picture and wondered what was the point of the uniform. I have the greatest respect for the defenders of our country but what does that have to do with a school strike?? If a person goes on strike, they are anti-American?? You people really are easily led off point. This is a contract that needs to be negotiated. In order to do that the board has to come to the table and negotiate until it is settled. You know that by law the teachers have to return to work whether this is settled or not. I hope the children are not listening at home to the things that are being written on this website. They will be delightful to teach if they come in with their parents attitude. I know of no one in the teaching profession who would take out on the children their displeasure with a contract negotiation. You parents better start preparing your children for their return to school. If they return with the same lack of respect that you are showing... God help the classroom!

But you, Patrick, are not her employer. Maybe you would like to presume what her employer is within his right to do to discipline her. And, of course, if you feel strongly about it, you may feel the need to report the incident. Although it is public knowledge as it is the property of the media now. However, I think what may really be bothering you is that she hit a nerve. I have a sneaky suspicion that you are a teacher or married to one and this young lady hit a nerve. And perhaps you feel some guilt.....?

Anne Marie- probably the pro-teachers posts are being posted by teachers as real identities are not required.
Anyone who cannot understand the economic situation of the entire country and know
that we cannot continue to pay for guaranteed pensions, bonuses for retirements, and the myriad of other perks Neshaminy teachers get should leave this district immediately. That is why any teacher truly supporting the NFT does not need to be teaching our kids. And do not seem to understand that the school board said no negotiating if they strike and keep saying "the board won't negotiate." Go back to the classrooms now!

Everyone who is not happy with the Neshaminy teachers should write on their facebook wall
https://www.facebook.com/pages/NFT-Neshaminy-Federation-of-Teachers/164069980302609#!/pages/NFT-Neshaminy-Federation-of-Teachers/164069980302609?sk=wall

Now I'm P!$$ed. Seriously. I worked HARD for my Master's degree WHILE I was working full time. Holy moly. I seriously can't believe they've gotten away with this crap at our expense for SO long.

On a side note, I was discussing this issue with someone who grew up in Council Rock while I was in Neshaminy... we checked out some of the people he went to High School/College with that he knew were teachers. His comment "oh my GOD, [that person] would make the WORST teacher ever!.", then added that one of that person's relatives worked at the school for years. So this not-so-smart person got a PRIME teaching job through easy college courses, nepotism and a Masters equivalent degree (they have 'masters' listed as their education)... they also are making 98k.

The teachers did not work hard to get 27,500.00 upon retiring and other benefits that we can no longer afford and that NO other districts get- the previous boards gave away the farm to avoid strikes and discord. The union needs to be led by a fair person. I am not against unions. The board HAS made offers and the union continues to counter with options our community CANNOT afford. If the teachers get, the kids lose, programs are cut, and people lose their homes.
Take the offer or leave. The teachers who accept what our board is offering are the teachers we want teaching our children anyway. AND they are afraid to go against the NFT for fear of retaliation. Also, you cannot "quit" the union, union dues will still
be deducted from your paycheck. The kids have already heard from their teachers who are not pro union, that their cars have been keyed, tires flattened and threats made. This all needs to change immediately. If the board could have each teacher
cast a vote that would not be made available to the NFT leaders - the strike would be over and hopefully no retaliations would occur. They need confidential ballots!

I know this will come as a surprise to you but teachers also have families, buy groceries, buy gas and live in the same world that you do, LADY! You think they are unaware. It still has nothing to do with your school board refusing to come to the table and NEGOTIATE with the union. I don't know where you work or if you do, HONEY, but they are trying to survive also. When you are in a union, you have to follow what that union dictates as best for getting a contract. Do you always agree with what and how they do it?? not all the time but if you have a union in your district you do it so you can work there.
You and Linda seem to have a lot to say and have little time for those who don't agree with you. Yes, I am a teacher who works without a union, who probably earns much less than you or your husband and am totally aware of the country's condition. When I say prepare your children, I mean make sure that the attitude that you express is not how they return to school. They will be the ones who suffer for it.
Not from their present teachers but because you will have destroyed their outlook concerning all the teachers they will come across in their future and anyone, who for whatever reason, earns more money than they do or belongs to a union.
These teachers are good people, doing a difficult job trying to get your children ready for the world they are entering.
Please tell Mr. Pastor for me, this is NOT a "9-3, 10 month job" as he is so fond of saying.

@Ellen's comment - if there are teacher's with ailments, pregnant whatever, walking the Strike Line - they know they are not allowed on school property to use the facilities. Is this an issue that becomes "our issue" - I think not. Once they declared the Strike, walk the walk, that simple, regardless of weather, conditions, what ever it maybe. Louise Boyd took a vote, and this is what they chose to do - walk the walk on the Strike Line. Tis a shame some are medically handicapped or otherwise, but using the school property, is in the bargain, as per the "STRIKE". It's like the Teacher's working to "Contract" and not doing anything more - it's part of their game plan when they do that. So walk the walk, and do not complain when an Administrator says, I'm sorry, but you are not allowed inside - you are ON STRIKE, remember - light bulb moment. Cold out there today wasn't it ......brrrrrrrr !!!!!

Also, there are some great teachers at Neshaminy, I know some of them. But there are some horrible one's as well. It's a shame the Principal's do not have the ability to weed out the good from the bad.

NFT deleted their facebook page! I guess they can't handle any criticism or the truth. ;)

Linda Sheridan I agree with you. I have been a substitute teacher before and I also would accept this contract since it would mean that I'd be working and teaching fulltime! What these teachers don't understand is that in other districts like in Bristol a lot of teachers there were fired and laid off. In this economy the Neshaminy teachers should be grateful that they even have jobs when most people myself included do not or are working a part time job just to barely get by. I agree with you that the whole idea that the teachers who are against unions are being blackballed is criminal. The NFT is full of greed.

The Principals at NHS are a joke as well, they were when I graduated more than two decades ago and they have been the last few decades. Neshaminy claims it never hires their own graduates but that is not true. People who I graduated with went to college or a university and came back and got hired in Neshaminy! Of course they all were related to other teachers, school admins, or other people in neshaminy. Yes most Neshaminy teachers are in it just for the money, benefits, and summer vacation. I know some teachers who told me how they got "burnt out". I guess they don't like teaching at all or working with students.

Here's a site you all should check out: http://www.teachersunionexposed.com/