Teachers dressed in red shirts lined both sides of Main Street in front of the Kewanee School Administration building Wednesday. [Photo by Susan DeVilder]

Teachers were united when they assembled on Wednesday at 11 a.m. along Main Street in front of the Kewanee School District Administration building for informational picketing. Dressed in red-shirts, teachers and staff lined both sides of the road, carrying signs that read: “Honk for Support;” “You can’t put students first if you put teachers last,” and “Invest in teachers, not just buildings.”

Drivers honked in support of the educators, as school officials worked inside the building. The two sides, teachers and school administration are set to mediate the teachers’ contract at 1 pm today. Their current contract is set to expire on Aug. 15, one day before students return to the classroom.

[Photos by Susan DeVilder]

At issue is higher pay for the teachers that has resulted in losing experienced teachers to other school districts. Both sides have declined to comment before Wednesday’s mediation session. The Kewanee Education Association has deferred questions to the Illinois Education Association. The union is expected to release a statement sometime Wednesday afternoon.

Kewanee Supt. Dr. Christopher Sullens has also declined to put out a statement on behalf of the school board about the negotiations. A special school board meeting has been set for Monday, August 7.