OTTAWA-The Upper Canada District School Board is prepared to lock out teachers and support staff if they go on strike.

In a release issued late Wednesday night, the board says they take the safety of their students very seriously and they are prepared to lock out teachers and staff, and close schools, if needed.

As of Wednesday, teachers and staff across the province entered a legal position to strike or take other job action

Earlier in the week, the teachers federation had been urging its members to skip staff meetings and forgo standardized tests in response to the liberal government’s new anti-strike laws.

However, the group postponed the sanctions Tuesday night and says it will spend the week meeting with government officials.