The clock is ticking for the Youngstown Education Association to reach a contract agreement with Youngstown City Schools. With union negotiations now at a standstill the teacher's union comprised of nearly 450 educators is still planning on striking the first day of school. With ongoing disagreements on both sides-- over 200 educators wearing red shirts stood in solidarity as the district shared new details on negotiations. 

A room of red at Wednesday's Youngstown City School board meeting as contract disagreements continue between the teachers union and district officials.

"The issue here is that they need to get to the table we had enough trouble getting them to the table in the first place," said Eric Teutsch, YEA President.

Educators are asking for better pay and safer working conditions, officially filing a 10-day intent to strike notice this week. That makes August 23rd the first day of the strike, which is also the first day of the school year. The district is offering a 2% raise to educators but the union wants 5.5%.

"I don't know if it's about these two holes we got on the sides of our pants that are called pockets or wallets, but at the end of the day, we got kids that we're losing. we're losing kids now more than adults," said Million Perry of Youngstown during a public comment. 

This comes as both sides accuse the other of not wanting to schedule future negotiation dates with the school year coming up fast.

The district issued this statement Wednesday that reads in part, "The Youngstown City School District continues to have an open door for dialogue with our teacher's union negotiating team. The District is willing to meet with the Union at any place or anytime to continue discussions for a new contract."

"We were able to agree with the Union at the table on continuing our strong health insurance package, which has an employee premium share below Northeast Ohio and statewide averages," said Superintendent Jeremy Batchelor. "We were able to reach an agreement on several other provisions that helped
modernize some of the school district administrative practices.”

"I see that they're putting out a message that you know, we're trying to avoid coming to the table or whatever they're saying," Teutsch said. "That couldn't be farther from the truth."

The School Board immediately went into executive session regarding negotiations but they did not disclose what was discussed. In the same press release, the district revealed the teachers union withdrew their fact-finding request and later issued a strike notice.

The district believes the strike notice is premature and believes fact-finding is part of the normal process that is often followed.

"The bottom line to me at this point is, to get to the table and set a good example for kids by being honest," Teutsch said.

The school board also discussed their concern about short staffing involving teachers and school bus drivers for the upcoming school year.