Parents React to Dixon Teachers Striking

Dixon- Teachers, parents and even students rallied in front of Washington School. They're demanding more staff, supplies and scheduled pay raises.

Parent Marce Piller explains "it's just not a contract for them it's a contract for our children and our future education."

Piller has four children in buildings throughout District 170. She says neighbors are helping each other out with child care. "Yes it will impact some, but people are reaching out to community members or family members," she explains.  

Many parents supporting the teachers by bringing baked goods and water to the picket lines.

Dixon Teacher Meg Penaflor says "the parents and the student support has been absolutely amazing from opening their homes to us to warm up and have snacks and use the restroom, to coming with the children to picket with us."

The district claims the money isn't there, despite a $10.2 million dollar surplus in four of their separate funds. Teachers say the district is hesitant because of the state's dire finances.

Dixon Teacher Mandy Dallas says "we just know what we've been told. That the funding isn't there, so aside from that we're just going by what we read in the newspapers and what we've been told from our administrators."

The state provides more than 20% of aid to the district's education fund. That number is expected to decrease.

Working since August without a contract teachers just want to get out of the cold and into the classroom. Penaflor says "let's get a settlement!  I want to get back to my kids and teach."