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Parents expected to demand district prevent looming teacher strike

SOUTH BUTLER, Pa. — Parents are expected to gather again Monday night to demand the South Butler School District do something about a looming teacher strike.

That proposed strike is only days away.

Just to give parents a heads-up, the district notified them there will be no school Thursday.

South Butler teachers also gave parents advanced warning last week they could strike if an agreement isn't reached and the countdown is on.

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Almost 170 teachers have been working without a contract since 2014.

"We need to end this," said Karen LaMotte, a parent. "We don't want to strike for the kids to go to school any longer than they have to."

As with most contracts, the big issues are pay and health care, but school officials say if a deal is not reached by Thursday, retroactive pay for those four years of working without a contract comes off the table.

"I want it all to work out for the children and for the teachers," LaMotte said.

Negotiations are set for 7 p.m. Monday and, if needed, again Tuesday night at 7 p.m. and also Wednesday.

Parents are holding a last-ditch rally in hopes of encouraging the two sides to settle. The last time the teachers went on strike was in 2009.