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Rockford Teachers Strike Continues

 

For the second day in a row, classes are canceled in the Rockford Public School district.  Teachers remain on strike after Thursday's bargaining session failed to produce a contract agreement. 

Both the district and the union say they plan to resume negotiations Friday morning.  The school board has scheduled a special meeting for Friday evening to get an update on the talks.  

Meanwhile, a prolonged strike could affect students when they move on to a higher grade level in the fall.  That's according to Jeanne Grey, who runs the Rockford College Learning Center.  The district says there's no guarantee any lost days will be made up before the end of the academic year.  Gray says that means students could fall behind.  But she says it wouldn't be isolated.

"All the children, basically, would be at the same level coming in.  And, the teachers may have to do a review at the beginning of the year."

Gray says the timing isn't so bad, because spring break is coming up.  She says that could limit the number of days students miss.  The Learning Center is offering programs for students affected by the walkout.  Parents would have to pay a fee for their child to attend.