A crowd of about 300 people, including an estimated 70 teachers, attended the South Butler School Board meeting Wednesday night. Most of the parents and district residents who spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting were in favor of the teachers, who have set March 15 as a strike date.

It was standing room only at the South Butler Primary Center last night as 300 teachers, parents and taxpayers flooded the South Butler County School Board meeting.

All but one person who spoke during the public comment session passionately supported the teachers in their quest to settle a contract after four years of working under the old contract.

About 70 teachers lined the inside and outside entry to the meeting, many holding signs that encouraged residents to support the educators.

Two bargaining sessions are scheduled for early next week, and a six-hour bargaining session was held on Tuesday.

The school board solicitor and negotiator, Tom Breth, said at the meeting that Tuesday's marathon bargaining session included “productive discussions.”

The teachers announced a March 15 strike date if a contract is not settled by that time.

The March 14 meeting was moved to Wednesday, March 21 in case a bargaining session is needed on March 13.