JEFFERSON TWP — When the morning bell rang today at Knoch High School, about 50 students continued to mill about in the student parking lot across the road.

They skateboarded, complained about the cool weather, and hoisted signs saying "Education B4 Greed."

The students were protesting a planned strike Monday by the South Butler School District's 185 teachers.

"What they are doing, we're doing," said Luke Pelkofer, a sophomore.

He said he was participating in the protest to show the "ridiculousness" of the strike, which will be the second one while he's been at Knoch.

Though some students said they expected to fail the day's tests and feared the loss of their parking passes, Parker Baney said he wasn't afraid of the consequences.

"What can they do?" Baney, a senior, said.

Pelkofer said getting his message across was more important than any discipline he might face.

"Either way, I'm going to get my point across," he said.

He said his parents support his efforts.

"If you really believe in something, do it," he said.

Bobby Shullo, a sophomore, said more students were sitting inside the school at their lockers, refusing to report to classes. He was outside in the parking lot, planning to stay for the day.

His sign said teachers open the door to education, "But starting Monday, you close the doors to our future."

The students said once school began, they wouldn't leave school property.

There will be no school Monday because the district received a strike notice Sept. 8. Since the strike notice, the sides have negotiated each weekday. No progress has been reported. This afternoon is the final negotiation session before the strike.

The teachers, who went on strike Oct. 23 for 18 school days, will be permitted to strike for up to 11 school days this time, according to estimates. The law requires teachers to return to the classroom in time to finish 180 school days by June 15. Last year, however, the school board extended the school year past that date to give students more vacation time around the holidays.

The main sticking points are health care contributions and wages.

According to the negotiator for the school board, teachers are asking for a 5.2 percent increase per year of the contract. The school board has offered a 3.5 percent increase per year.

The average teacher pay is $51,249, and the starting pay is $33,621.

Under the district plan, a teacher making the average salary would get $53,024 in the first year; $54,899 in the second; $56,820 in the third; $58,809 in the fourth; and $60,867 in the fifth.

Using the number proposed by the teachers, that same teacher would make $53,913 in the first year; $56,771 in the second; $59,666 in the third; $62,769 in the fourth; and $66,033 in the final year.

Teachers now pay $10 per month for individual health care coverage and $20 per month for a family.

During the strike, classes will be canceled except for students attending the Butler County Vocational-Technical School. Transportation for nonpublic school students will continue. Athletic events are also expected to continue.

The teachers have been without a contract since June 30, 2008.