DALLAS ---Teachers in the Dallas School District were not in the classroom Friday morning, they were on the picket lines.
Teachers and the school board were not able to reach a contract agreement Thursday night.
This is the second time in two years teachers have gone on strike over the contract dispute.
Although Friday was their first day back on strike, they said they just want it to be over.
“I just want it to be done. I want Dallas to get back to the way Dallas was. It's a great place to work, I love the kids. I look forward to work, that's what I miss most about this, that I'm not in school,” Dallas High School computer teacher Michael Cherinka said.
Teachers said they are striking over wages, working conditions, and health care.
Last year, they walked out on their job for 22 days.
“You miss everything that they've taught you and then you forget it and then you're expected to know it again a month later, and it's just hard,” Sophomore Alex Derome said.
Teachers said they presented the board with fair plans, but school officials said that is not the case.
“Their offer, it would defy the laws of the physics that we can get their offer done. It's disappointing, it's so frustrating,” Dallas School District Solicitor Vito DeLuca said.
“We’ve offered the district multiple proposals that are fair, reasonable, and affordable and I can't say that enough. Every proposal we have given them has been fair, reasonable and affordable,” Region field director for the Pennsylvania State Education Association John Holland said.
Students said they were not surprised when they were told not to come in to school on Friday.
“When it happened last night it was just like, everyone knew that it was probably going to happen,” Sophomore John Toussaint said.
School officials said it’s unclear how long the strike will last because it is determined by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Taxpayers hope it ends sooner rather than later.
“Come to an agreement! Get it over with! Don't hurt the kids, that's what I say. The kids are the ones that are suffering,” Bob Ritts of Dallas Township said.
Teachers said they have been without a new contract for three years.
