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.

JEFFERSON TWP — Some 300 teachers, parents and residents packed the South Butler School Board meeting at the primary center cafeteria on Wednesday night as the March 15 teacher strike date looms in the district.

Those who spoke passionately at the public comment portion of the meeting were nearly all in favor of the teachers and received loud applause after their three minutes before the board were up.

Parent Amy Scheidt, who is a teacher in the Butler School District, said no teachers want to strike, but living and working without a pay raise for nearly four years is untenable.

“The teachers are asking for a fair contract, and yes they want a raise,” she told the school board. “I don't think any of you would go four years without a raise.”

Scheidt said her 11-year-old son told her the teachers would protect him if an active shooter were to enter the building. She said teachers deserve to be sufficiently compensated because they protect their students' “minds, hearts and now, their very lives.”

Tracy Ambrose, who has two daughters in the district, said the teachers' requests are not unreasonable or over the top. She took district solicitor and contract negotiator Tom Breth to task for saying the teachers have an entitlement mindset.

“Our teachers are tired, they feel dehumanized, they're losing sleep and are experiencing stress over the lack of settling a contract, yet they still excel in the classroom,” Ambrose said.

She called the teachers wonderful, selfless individuals who care for their students.

“By not settling, you are not only compromising our teachers, but you're putting our kids at risk,” she said. “I proudly and unapologetically stand tall alongside our teachers.”

Dave McCool, the father of three Knoch students, said the teachers have been patient and professional over the last four years although their pay has not increased.

“It's a gargantuan task to smile when you're not getting the respect you deserve,” he said.

He said the school board does not want to be responsible for the process of negotiations.

“What I see is a board that doesn't want to speak face to face with real people, but puts a solicitor in the middle and not take ownership,” McCool said. “It's common decency to look someone in the eye when you have something you want to work out.”

Parents Lynne and Adam Mercer spoke to the board together, with Lynne also taking Breth to task for criticizing the teachers.

“I think it's imperative that the solicitor stop publicly criticizing our teachers,” she said. “It's unprofessional, hampers the negotiation process and only serves to divide our community.”

Her husband, Adam, was angered that the board allowed the contract to fester unsettled for four years. He said other union personnel in the district are also in need of a contract.

“When multiple contracts are not settled, that's the board's problem,” he said.

He said his attempts to communicate his stance to the school board members has “always fallen on deaf ears.”

He urged those in attendance to use the democratic system to communicate.

“If you want better, demand it,” he shouted. “Make your voice heard and vote.”

Kara Lesseski, a parent, 2001 Knoch High School graduate and business owner in the district, said her children have flourished at South Butler after teachers in another local district did not meet their needs.

She said as a taxpayer, she would not mind paying a little more if her children receive a good education and the teachers are content.

“I saw the pay scale, and I wouldn't work in this district as a teacher right now,” she said.

She said her fellow Knoch alumni, who love the district, do not apply for a teaching position because of the low pay.

“Think about that,” Lesseski said.

School board President Matthew Cimbala said after the meeting that he appreciates the comments as well as the attendance of so many district residents.

“It's nice to hear their opinions,” he said.