Parents, teachers pack Ringgold HS auditorium demanding fair deal

Parents confronted leaders of the Ringgold School District Wednesday night, demanding a new contract for their children's teachers.

Many parents say they're struggling to find childcare, as the strike drags on to its second week.

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At certain points during the meeting, you couldn't hear people talking inside the meeting because the cheers were so loud.

Channel 11 talked to all sides and they agreed on one thing: Despite the back and forth, the strike needs to end as soon as possible because it's not fair to the teachers or the students.

Parents and teachers within the Ringgold School District took to the podium and demanded the administration reach a fair deal.

They called on the board to make immediate moves at Wednesday night's meeting.

"And I ask you to bargain with us. Bargain with us today, bargain with us tomorrow, so the kids and teachers can go back to their classrooms where they belong," said teachers union president Maria Degnan.

Ringgold teachers have been on strike since last Wednesday.

They were working without a contract since June 30.

Their union president says the majority of teachers make less than $50,000 and are often paying for their own school supplies.

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"At Santa's Workshop teachers hand the kids money to buy their family presents because they can't afford it. Those teachers don't ask for that money back!" parent Linda Wallace said.

The high school auditorium was packed with at least 300 people there to show their support.

Their message was clear: Strike up a fair contract and a fair wage for teachers.

But the Ringgold School Board president says it's not that easy.

"I want them to have the best contract we can give them, but we can't go bankrupt in the process," William Stein said.

The teachers will go back to the bargaining table Thursday at 10 a.m.

Cox Media Group