The end of the Youngstown teachers union strike could be on the horizon as the district announced they plan to give a counteroffer to the YEA negotiating committee Wednesday.

This comes as YEA's settlement proposal encouraged the district to come to an agreement. Hundreds made their way to Tuesday's school board meeting with a clear message, They want students back in the classroom. 

"Remind yourselves that November is election time," said one woman to the Youngstown City School Board, frustrated the strike has not ended as of September 12. 

It was a heated school board meeting with dozens pleading for the district to come to an agreement with the teacher's union.

"The children are suffering. Period," said one man in the crowd. "Put down your egos and put down your cell phones."

"They're not getting the proper education they need," one woman added. "And you have the power to end this strike. But you choose to sit here and do nothing and twiddle your thumbs."

Others spoke about the concern for studentwell-beinging, the lack of resources for special education students during remote learning, and the frustration of parents needing to rearrange their schedules and jobs for their children. One woman asked the board if the school year would be extended into June of 2024 and the board could not provide her with an answer. 

"I think they're angry," explained YEA Spokesperson Jim Courim, after over a dozen concerned residents and parents spoke their minds about children not being back in the classroom. "They're frustrated just like we are. We're angry and frustrated and I'm sure the board is angry and frustrated."

It comes down to an ongoing debate on whether academic distress commission language can be removed from the contract. The union says the language is too vague and gives the board unlimited power.

Superintendent Batchelor told 21 News the language has been removed but an agreement has not been made.

"We have been asked to remove 3.011, which is the academic distress language," Batchelor explained to 21 News. "And we have. In exchange for some flexibility in regard to seniorities, vacancies, and postings. We have not come to quite an agreement on what that needs to look like."

Batchelor explained the district is still in academic distress after getting clarification from the state. The language can be removed as long as it is approved by the school board. "It's not the best practice for the board to give away that language, but we have been asked to remove the language and we have."

"It can't be taken out until both sides have agreed and we have an agreement," Courim explained. "So, until we vote, it technically is still there." Courim believes an agreement could be on the horizon come Wednesday. 

Batchelor said the hold-up involves language held over before ADC that does not need to be removed. Seniority and transfer disagreements in negotiations is also drawing the process out. 

It was revealed during Tuesday's school board meeting that the district is offering a counterproposal to YEA Wednesday. This could mean students will be back to the classroom as early as Thursday.

"That's not really up to us because there has to be a ratification," Batchelor explained. "I already know that I can call an emergency meeting, and the board will approve but they have to then have the contract ratified with their body before they would come back to work."

Parents also raised concern over the drawn-out negotiations, with both groups not meeting on weekends and only a few hours each day. Many called out the school board for not returning calls and messages. 

21 News asked Batchelor about comments made and he responded, "That's not fair to the parents because they know we're negotiating. We have tried to respond to whomever we can."

Some school board members, including Brenda Kimble and Jerome Williams, spoke on their desire to also have both sides reach an agreement for the sake of the district's students. 

Teachers within the union were given a paycheck last Friday for the 6 days they worked at the beginning of the school year before kids were in the classroom and some are utilizing loans from the Ohio Education Association through an education credit union. 

It is unclear if teachers will receive any back pay for the paycheck they have missed from the active strike. "That can always be negotiated," Courim concluded. 

The district will present YEA with that settlement offer on Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. at East High School.

"We believe this offer is digestible," Batchelor added. "Hopefully YEA believes the same."

Stay updated with 21 News online and on 21 News Midday as a decision could be reached.