A teacher's strike could be on the horizon in East Palestine, as negotiations between the education union and school district are nearing it's fifth month.

From higher pay to quality of learning, hundreds of educators filled Monday's school board meeting demanding to go back to the negotiating table.

"I call on all of you today to join me in this effort," said Lenny Glavan to the school board. "Let's seize this opportunity to create a district that I know we can be, should be, and will be. Let's invest in our teachers, our children, and our future."

The East Palestine Education Association's union contract expired on June 30. The union and district have been in negotiations since the beginning of May, but Monday night's board meeting confirmed there's no end in sight.

"A lot of it has to do with how we're using our time and how we can use that more effectively," explained Carrie Cope, East Palestine Education Association Spokesperson. "Some of it does have to do with pay but it's not the only thing. We do so much for our kids and it's hard to keep doing this job while feeling like you are begging for little things that would help your schools run better. We just want to be valued and appreciated." 

The union issued an intent to strike notice Monday after they said the district hasn't negotiated with its teachers since September 16.

According to Superintendent James Rook, the union requested a 14% pay increase and an additional raise of $500 and $2,000 for each teacher, each year.

Rook explained the district's educators also requested the school year be shortened by five days and to only be required to pay $250 in deductibles for their insurance.

"When the board tried to work out a way for the teachers to work a few less days, in exchange for not receiving the salary increase, the board’s proposal was immediately rejected, and the EPEA still demanded the number of days for teaching students be reduced by five days. The last negotiation session ended with the EPEA still demanding a 4% base salary increase and maintaining their $250 deductibles, among other demands," Rook said.

After two hours of executive session Monday, the board passed a resolution, "making it clear that schools will remain open and education will be provided following the receipt of a strike notice filed by East Palestine Education Association," according to the district's Monday night press release.

The district plans to hire the staff needed to keep students in the classroom. On Monday, the school board also approved the hiring of a security firm needed to keep schools open if teachers strike.

"I want my students to feel supported and fulfilled in their future careers, yet I can't meet a teacher that feels that way right now," Cope told the board. "Losing committed educators undermines stability and continuity, which are essential for student success."

The union claims it extended an olive branch to resume negotiations immediately, versus the October 16 date scheduled. The board has reached out to it's Federal Mediator to request an earlier meeting.

East Palestine Superintendent James Rook, who took over operations in June following Chris Neifer's resignation, said, “The Board and EPEA bargaining teams have met on eight occasions starting last school year. The last four meetings were under the jurisdiction of a Federal Mediator after the EPEA declared an impasse. I am disappointed that the EPEA has given up on negotiating, especially when so many of the tentative agreements that the parties have signed have been to the benefit of the teachers and have been based on proposals made by the EPEA. Of the 20 tentative agreements that have been reached, 19 of them have changed language in the negotiated agreement that benefits the teachers.” 

"We urgently need clearer information regarding contract negotiations as parents," said Jenna Harris to the board. "Conversations with parents, staff, and teachers indicate a strong desire for transparency."

The school district's five-year forecast shows a negative balance of nearly $675,000 and a handful of union members cited the district's spending in legal fees over the past several years has surpassed hundreds of thousands of dollars.

"We need to do something before we lose more good teachers," said Mary Falcone, an East Palestine School District teacher. "It is very concerning when a school district prioritizes its public image to the extent of creating a position that pays more than the highest-paid teacher's salary. This raises questions about the support provided to educators."

Both parties will meet again on October 16, less than one week before teachers plan to strike on Monday, October 21.

“Preparing for a strike, hiring security and substitutes is going to cost money," Rook said. "Money that will not be available for salaries and other student educational needs. But to give in to the union’s demands will cost far more and decrease the amount of time that teachers spend with students. It is not something the board wants to do, but frankly, we are left with little choice.”

"We still have hope that Superintendent Rook is able to move forward with some of the things we're struggling with," Cope said. "He seems open to conversations but the things that are being settled are little things. The big issues are still out there." 

The district plans to create a portal on it's website to provide information on negotiations and strike preparations.