PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
Teachers in the Reynolds School District will likely remain on strike into next week after a second mediation session ended without a contract settlement.
The district canceled classes for Thursday and Friday as the strike entered its fourth day.
Teachers and parents vented their frustration as, one by one, members of the Reynolds School Board left Wednesday's mediation session at New Beginnings Church after about nine hours of negotiating.
"They're being cowards by hiding in there and leaving one by one," shouted one parent. "This is ridiculous!"
Teachers hit the picket lines early Monday morning after the school board walked away from an unsuccessful last minute bargaining session that lasted almost 24 hours.
During Wednesday's second mediation session, both sides took turns submitting contract proposals but couldn't agree on issues like teacher's pay and contract language.
"Right now we're not feeling much compromise," said Joyce Henstrand, the superintendent of Reynolds School District.
The school district walked away from the closed-door bargaining session about 6 p.m. without reaching a settlement.
"We told people that we would not stay overnight again because no one thinks clearly at 2 a.m. and we want to be thinking clearly when we reach a settlement," said Henstrand. "We want to make good decisions for the students and the community."
The district said it would not be able to meet again until Tuesday because a mediator is not available. The teachers union thinks the school board should be able to meet for another mediation session before next week.
"So we are right now saying we are willing to meet anytime with or without the mediation, because I know the mediator isn't available," said Joyce Rosenau, president of the Reynolds Education Association. "We're ready to meet face to face to get this solved so we can be back in the classroom as soon as possible."
Parents and students held a rally in support of a settlement at Reynolds Middle School Wednesday evening. Frustrations also seemed to be running high there.
"I'm a stay-at-home mom, so I'm able to be home. But I have a lot of friends who work," said parent Kimberly Marsh. "It's frustrating to find childcare and plan for your next day when you don't know what's coming."
While classes were canceled for this week, the district still required seniors to attend consultations and senior check out at the normal time for a half day.
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