TOLEDO, Ohio —
It's been months of back and forth for contract negotiations between Washington Local Schools and the Teachers' Association.
Contract negotiations started in March and the contract ended in early July.
Washington Local teachers have been working without a new contract for 100 days.
Teachers throughout the district wore black on Tuesday.
"It's a simple way but it's a way for us to show how we've congealed as a staff," Teachers' Association of Washington Local Schools spokesperson Jeff Christoffers said. "That even though we're this many months into it, even though we're 100 days without a contract, we're not going away."
Christoffers said teachers in other school districts including Springfield, Sylvania and even teachers in Findlay wore black to show their support for their fellow teachers.
"That support around us from other districts, it's teachers saying, we understand you're the most valuable resource these students have,'" Christoffers said. "We want you to be able to recruit and retain the best teachers there are and this is the way we have to do it."
Christoffers said there has been some good news because even though there is a new superintendent and negotiations team, the negotiations did not have to completely start over.
"We do feel as though there's been a different air about things this last time we've met," Christoffers said. "Our hope is that when we come back to the table next Tuesday that we can come to some sort of an agreement through mediation."
Washington Local Schools sent a statement that reads:
"Washington Local Schools is looking forward to getting back together for negotiations next week, optimistic that we will settle a contract for our teachers. We will respect the process and will speak further once negotiations are complete."
Christoffers said the teachers want a contract they feel is comparable to other local districts.
Christoffers said in the last meeting between the two there was not much movement, but there is no backing down for the Teachers' Association at this point.
"If we back down, we're backing down on the kids, and that, how can we ever do that?" Christoffers said.
Christoffers said there is a small meeting tomorrow, where there is a possibility of continuing negotiations before Tuesday.