By Thomas J. Sheeran
The Associated Press

CLEVELAND - In an attempt to help striking Maple Heights teachers, the Cleveland Teachers Union has gotten a court order directing the suburban school district to disclose the names of replacements.

Finding out the names "adds pressure to the whole matter" to settle the strike, which started Sept. 4, said CTU attorney Susannah Muskovitz.

The 5,000-member Cleveland union sought the order, arguing that students, parents and striking teachers are entitled to know the names of substitute teachers in Maple Heights, where some replacements have refused to disclose their names publicly.

There have been only sporadic contract talks in the strike by the 235-member Maple Heights Teachers Association against the 4,800-student district.

Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Eileen Gallagher said Tuesday that Maple Heights schools must reveal the requested information Wednesday afternoon or face civil penalties.

Maura Norton, representing the school board in court, said she could not comment on whether the district could comply with the ruling. She declined to comment on a possible appeal to extend or overturn the deadline.

Ms. Norton told the judge that the district has been trying to provide the names under a public records disclosure request from the CTU. She said the work has been slowed by numerous similar requests from the Maple Heights community.

But Ms. Muskovitz said the union's request had languished for 20 days and a court order was needed to compel disclosure.

The CTU wants names of the substitute teachers replacing striking teachers and their home addresses, telephone numbers, employee identification numbers and payroll information.

Some of the substitutes fear harassment or reprisals. Ms. Muskovitz said the information, when received, will be made public either in a newspaper advertisement or on an Internet posting.

"There's a lot of frustration that has taken place. People want to see an end to the strike," Maple Heights Mayor Santo T. Incorvaia said.