Bellefonte Area Teachers and Staff Union to Vote on Strike Authorization

Approximately 230 Bellefonte Area teachers and staff will vote Monday on whether to authorize a strike if necessary amid lagging negotiations with the district over a new contract.

Bargaining sessions began a year ago, but Bellefonte Area Education Association members said on Friday that they have been stalled by district negotiators. After the previous agreement expired on June 30, unionized employees entered the 2026-27 school year without a contract.

“Our members have sacrificed hundreds of hours since the beginning of the 2025-26 school year to reach a fair agreement,” Rachel Griel, a school nurse and member of the Bellefonte Area Education Association Negotiations Committee, said in a statement. “Unfortunately, district negotiators have resorted to ultimatums and stall tactics. We and the Bellefonte community deserve better.”

The union called on the district “to bargain in good faith,” with Griel saying that negotiations have amounted to “take-it-or-leave-it offers handed over by an attorney.”

Bellefonte Area School Board President Jon Guizar and Superintendent Roy Rakszawski did not respond to a request for comment on Friday afternoon.

Union members are seeking a contract that addresses the professional staff compensation gap between Bellefonte and other local school districts. Bellefonte “has among the lowest professional staff compensation in Centre County,” according to a release from the Pennsylvania State Education Association, falling behind Penns Valley, Bald Eagle and State College.

“Our membership is so tired of watching our students get left behind and seeing skilled educators leave Bellefonte because of disrespect and lack of fair pay,” Katherin Momenzadeh, a high school English teacher, said in a statement. “This is not an easy choice, but we have to stand up for ourselves and our school community.”

The next round of negotiations is scheduled for Sept. 22.