Finding Aid for the Rebecca Clemente collection on the Ravenna (Ohio) Teachers Strike

Author: Savannah Gould, April, 2024
Inclusive Dates: 1975-2017
Bulk Dates: 1979-1989
Extent: 1.33 cubic feet (1 record storage box and 1 archival shoe box)
Physical Location: 11th Floor
Language of Materials: English

Abstract: This collection consists mainly of documents from Rebecca Clemente during her time as a teacher who participated in the Ravenna City Schools strike of 1980-1981.  

Biographical Note: During the time of the Ravenna Teachers Strike, Rebecca Clemente's name was Rebecca (Becky) Moore. Clemente earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Ashland in 1971; she earned her M. Ed. and Ph. D. from Kent State University in 1988 and 1992, respectively. Clemente was a teacher in Ravenna from 1972 to 1981, where she taught fourth and fifth grades. Clemente was one of the more than 200 teachers who went on strike in the Ravenna School District in 1980-1981. She was highly involved, serving as the picket captain for Rausch Elementary School and handling various financial aspects for striking teachers, including the Adopt-a-Teacher program and a small fund from which the teachers could request support in emergency situations. Clemente was one of the teachers arrested for "rioting and obstruction" during the February 9, 1981 picket at the high school; her record was later expunged. After the strike, Clemente became a fifth grade and computer science teacher at St. Joseph School in Mantua, Ohio until 1987. She went on to hold a variety of educational roles until her culminating position of Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at North Central College, where she taught for twenty years. She was granted Emerita Professor status in 2017.

Historical Note: In the fall of 1980, roughly 200 teachers walked out of the classroom due to the absence of a master contract with the Ravenna Board of Education. Negotiations between the Board and the Ravenna Education Association (REA) covered issues such as salary, benefits, staffing, and dismissal policies. It went on to become the longest teachers strike in Ohio history up to that time, lasting a total of 85 days. The strike garnered national attention and support from the community, as parents and students joined teachers on the picket lines. After countless rounds of negotiations, a final agreement was reached in April of 1981. However, the effects of the strike on teachers, students, and the community would continue long after. Public distrust and bitterness toward the school system would lead to several failed levies, which in turn would lead to staff reductions, loss of extracurriculars and sports for students, and even some school closures.

Scope and Content: The bulk of this collection contains publications from the Ravenna Education Association, as well as clippings and other documents related to the strike. Additionally, the collection includes documents that reflect Rebecca Clemente's personal experience during and after the strike, including correspondence, publications, artifacts, legal documents, financial and unemployment resources, and news clippings.

Acquisitions Information: This collection was donated to Kent State University by Rebecca Clemente in 2017.

Preferred Citation: Rebecca Clemente collection on the Ravenna (Ohio) Teachers Strike. Kent State University Libraries. Special Collections and Archives.

Arrangement: The Rebecca Clemente collection on the Ravenna Teachers Strike is organized into the following series. Within each series, materials have been organized alphabetically by subject, category, or type of item.

• Series 1: Ravenna Teachers Strike records
• Series 2: Rebecca Clemente papers

Series 1: Ravenna Teachers Strike records
Scope and Content: Many of the files donated had historical contextual notes written by Clemente attached to them. These notes have been retained and included with the relevant materials. This series includes correspondence, news clippings, publications, and other strike materials.

1. Correspondence: March 1980-November 1982
   Scope and Content: This folder includes correspondence to/from the REA, the Ravenna Board of Education, the superintendent, the negotiations team, and UniServ consultants, among others.
2. Mariemont Strike: January-May, 1981
   Historical Note: Teachers from the Ravenna strike went to a rally to support striking teachers in Mariemont, Ohio.
3. News Clippings: June, 1980
4. News Clippings: August, 1980
5. News Clippings: October, 1980
6. News Clippings: November, 1980
7. News Clippings: December, 1980
8. News Clippings: January, 1981
9. News Clippings: February, 1981
10. News Clippings: March, 1981
11. News Clippings: April, 1981
12. News Clippings: May, 1981
13. News Clippings: June, 1981
14. News Clippings: July, 1981
15. News Clippings: August, 1981
16. News Clippings: September, 1981
17. News Clippings: October, 1981
18. News Clippings: November, 1981
19. News Clippings: 1982
20. News Clippings: 1983
21. News Clippings: 1984
22. News Clippings: 1989
23. Publications: Ohio Schools Magazine, October 1980-May 1981
    Scope and Content: The October issue lists the longest strikes to date before Ravenna's strike. Each issue reports on the Ravenna strike in some capacity.
24. Publications: Other Organizations: Flyers, 1980-1981; undated
25. Publications: Portage County Council of Educators: Flyers, 1980-1981; undated
26. Publications: REA: Bargaining Bulletin, April-December, 1980
27. Publications: REA: Flyers, 1980-1981; undated
28. Publications: REA: Newsletter, Infographics, January 1980-June 1981
29. Publications: REA: On the Line and variations, November 1980-February 1981
30. Ravenna City School District Information, 1980-1982
    Scope and Content: Includes map of school district, directory of staff, and academic calendars.
31. REA Governance, 1975-1979; undated
    Scope and Content: Includes list of officers, by-law amendments, and the board handbook.
32. State Budget Appropriations, 1979-1981
    Scope and Content: Includes House Bill 167 state budget recommendations for 1982-1983 and Fiscal Year 1979 tax rates.
33. Strike: Adopt-a-Teacher Program, January-May, 1981
    Scope and Content: Included are note cards with the teacher's name, the individual/family/organization that adopted them, and the amount with which they supported the teacher.
34. Strike: Artifacts, undated
    Scope and Content: There are two shirts and four pins which contain variations of the message "Together We Can" that were worn by teachers and supporters during the strike.
    Physical Location: The materials in this file are housed in a separate container.
35. Strike: Food Stamp Information Given to Striking Teachers, 1979
36. Strike: Legal Documents, November 1980-January 1981
    Scope and Content: Included are a temporary restraining order, a supplemental injunction order, and a list of allowable items for arrested strikers in jail.
37. Strike: Negotiations/Agreements, 1980-1982
    Scope and Content: Included are proposal analyses and master agreements.
38. Strike: Picketing and Legal Information for Picketers, undated
39. Strike: Poems, undated
    Historical Note: The poems included within this folder were anonymously written and distributed during the strike. Clemente attempted to find the authors later on but was unsuccessful.
40. Strike: Printed Materials, undated
    Scope and Content: Included are a bumper sticker, a SCAB sticker, a postcard (two copies) of striking teachers, and signs that read "We Support Teachers."
41. Strike: Unemployment Resources for Fired Teachers, undated

Series 2: Rebecca Clemente papers
Scope and Content: These materials include a teacher's personal perspective of the strike and its effects. 

42. Arrest and Expungement Information, March 1981-October 1982
43. Correspondence: from Clemente to Parents, November 17, 1980
44. Correspondence: from Clemente to Sister, February 12, 1981
45. Correspondence: from Clemente to Students, August 22, 1980
46. Correspondence: to Clemente from Ravenna Board of Education, January 1981; March 1981; April 1981; May 1985
47. Correspondence: to Clemente from Students, undated
    Scope and Content: Students wishing her well and hoping she returns to the classroom soon.
48. CV and Note About Career, 1971-2017
49. Employment Application for 1981-1982 School Year, April 20, 1981
50. Financial Support During Strike, December 5, 1980
51. Notes Written on Envelope, 1981
52. Paystubs for School Year with Reductions, 1980-1981
    Scope and Content: These documents include the deductions taken out of Clemente's paychecks due to her participation in the strike.
53. Personal Classroom: Class Picture, 1980-1981
54. Personal Classroom: Daily Schedule, 1980-1981
55. Recollection of Mass Picket Events, February 9, 1981
56. Retirement System Information, January 1988-March 1989
57. Student Grades and Records, 1980-1981
    Restrictions on Access: The materials in this file are restricted due to student information privacy laws.
    Historical Note: These items were included by Clemente to provide an example of student performance during a time of educational unrest and uncertainty. 
58. Visit to Kent State Education Class, 1982
    Scope and Content: Clemente visited an Introduction to Education class at Kent State University and talked about her experience during the strike. Included are her speaking notes and a letter from the professor of the class thanking her for coming. 
59. "Why I Strike" Statement, January 1981