Teachers with the East Palestine City School District are calling on the Board of Education to deliver what they describe as a fair contract before school starts later in August.

The East Palestine Education Association's contract with the district expired June 30, meaning the union has been without a new contract for just over a month.

According to a press release, the union reached out to the district to begin negotiations for a new contract in March. The Board eventually agreed to an initial bargaining date of May 1, and negotiations have continued since then.

A federal mediator was called to assist in the process beginning July 18. The next bargaining session is scheduled for August 13.

Union spokesperson and third grade teacher Carrie Cope is quoted in the release saying with the first day of school just around the corner, the time is now for the Board to come together and work to reach a fair agreement.

"When the new school year starts, we want nothing more than to be with our students in safe learning environments, giving them the best education possible and ensuring all students have the individualized support they need to reach their full potential. The Board must deliver a fair contract that achieves those aims," Cope said.

In a statement, the East Palestine Board of Education says they are committed to negotiating a fair contract with the East Palestine Education Association. 

"The East Palestine City School District Board of Education and the EPEA have met on several occasions attempting to reach an agreement on all of the outstanding issues. Therefore, the Board joins the EPEA in hoping that when the new school year starts, the parties will have reached an agreement. Any contract needs to be fair to the teachers, but also fiscally fair to the district's taxpayers, and especially fair to our district's students. I am hopeful that the EPEA will
continue to work as hard as the board has to find common ground when we meet again on August 13," said East Palestine City Schools Superintendent James Rook. 

The first day of school for East Palestine is August 26.