As long as South Butler teacher contract negotiations are still ongoing on Wednesday, a local group is planning to hold a rally to encourage both parties to come to a resolution.
Organizer Heather Helsel is with the South Butler School Action Committee.
“We want to call the community together to say ‘Let’s go, let’s get it resolved.’ We support getting a resolution. We support making sure that our students can get back into school,” Helsel said.
All parents, students, community members and teachers are invited to participate in the “Heal Our Community” rally on Wednesday beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the South Butler Primary School parking lot.
The South Butler teachers’ union has stated they plan to strike on Thursday if no agreement has been reached and the district has already taken action to cancel class for that day.
According to Helsel, this is a move no one wants.
I don’t think that anybody is in favor of a strike,” she said. “I don’t think teachers want a strike. I don’t think students want a strike. I know parents don’t want a strike. I think that any kind of school stoppage just inhibits students being able to maximize upon the time that they’re able to be in the classroom and working with the teachers that have such an impact on their education overall.”
Representatives of the South Butler School Board and South Butler Education Association met Monday night and have another negotiation session planned for Tuesday in hopes of reaching an agreement.