The Effect of Strikes on Superintendents

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of public school superintendents regarding teacher organizations, negotiations, personnel and influence, progression of events related to the strike, issues that contributed to the strike, and time spent working on strike-related activities during and after Illinois teacher strikes occurring during the 1986-87 school year. A review of the literature revealed much relevant advisory information, but this literature was limited to one aspect or another of a strike situation, for example negotiations or unions. The Superintendent Questionnaire was sent to school districts where teachers struck during the 1986-87 school year. Descriptive statistics, in the form of frequencies and percentages, were used to analyze responses to the questionnaire. Responses were analyzed both by type of district and collectively. The results and conclusions of this study gave rise to recommendations to superintendents and school boards to minimize negative effects of future strikes on the district. Superintendents in twelve of the thirteen districts in which strikes occurred responded to the questionnaire. Their responses affirm the value of pre-strike planning and underscore the importance of limiting the superintendent\u27s public participation in negotiations