There is still no deal between Galesburg's teachers' union and district leaders, following nearly 12 hours of contract negotiations Monday, August 11, 2014.
Talks continued Tuesday morning, August 12, 2014 though, as both teachers and district leaders in Galesburg, Illinois, say they remain optimistic that a strike can be avoided.
Representatives from the Galesburg Education Association and District 205 met with mediators Monday. Around 10:30 p.m. that night, the chief negotiator for the GEA said they had received a proposal from the Board of Education.
"It's late, obviously. We're gonna sleep on it, and come back at 10 tomorrow," said Luan Statham. "We're trying to stay positive and still hoping to avoid a strike."
Both sides started negotiating again at 10 a.m. Tuesday. They will negotiate until 1 p.m. Tuesday. That evening, GEA teachers will meet to either ratify a new contract or assign strike duties.
Classes are scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 14, 2014.
"We want to be with our kids, and so, that's always in the back of our heads, that we want to get back to school and be with our kids. So, it is very emotional for us. It's coming down to the wire, and we're trying to stay positive and get this done," said Statham.