HIGHLAND, Ill. (AP) — A teacher strike in southwestern Illinois’ Highland School District continued for the fifth day Wednesday as union representatives negotiated with district officials.
The union president submitted a new contract proposal to the school board Tuesday night, after teachers rejected a previous offer Sunday, the Belleville News-Democrat reported. All seven school board members attended the negotiations Tuesday.
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Many striking teachers handed out lunches on Tuesday out of concern that some students wouldn’t get healthy meals at home, the (Alton) Telegraph reported. Low-income students usually receive a free or reduced-price lunch at school. Teachers said they would distribute the lunches on school days until the strike ends.
Teachers in the 3,000-student district went on strike Thursday after nearly six months of negotiations. District officials have said the district lost around $1 million a year over the past four years because of state budget problems. Union officials contend that the district’s budget could cover the salary and benefit increases it has proposed.