ADAMS TWP. — Nearly 100 Mars Area School District teachers, retired educators, union members, and supporters lined both the front and rear entrances of the district’s administrative offices Tuesday evening in a coordinated show of unity, urging school board members to reach a fair contract as negotiations move into the fact-finding stage.
Wearing matching red shirts and stickers bearing the number 28—symbolizing the 28 days teachers have worked without a new contract—the group assembled about 5:30 p.m., well before the board’s 7 p.m. meeting. Organizers intentionally stationed teachers at both entrances to ensure every board member would pass by the demonstration before entering.
“We’re all here to show them that they should care about us,” Mars Area Education Association (MAEA) President Hollie Meckler said before the meeting. “Because the more they invest in their teachers, the more they invest in their children. That’s what they need to understand.”
Meckler said the demonstration was intended to remind the board that contract negotiations affect more than just the union’s bargaining team.
“They’re not just negotiating with that small group in negotiations,” she said. “They’re negotiating with 247 members.”
The large turnout exceeded the capacity of the district’s board room. Teachers filled nearly every seat, stood along the walls and aisles, gathered in the lobby outside the meeting room, and remained throughout the meeting after the room reached capacity.
The demonstration remained orderly as teachers held signs reading “We Teach. We Care. Be Fair,” “Support Mars Teachers,” and “Support Mars Kids.” Several parents, retired educators, members of other unions, and community supporters also joined the gathering.
Fact-Finding Underway
Inside the meeting, District Solicitor Mike Hnath confirmed that the district has retained a fact-finder and that the state-mandated process is now underway. He told board members that no agreement can be finalized until the fact-finding process has been completed.
Meckler also confirmed that a fact-finder has already been appointed and will hear presentations from both the district and the union before issuing non-binding recommendations. The recommendations will then be presented separately to both the teachers and the school board for consideration before either side votes on whether to accept them.
Although fact-finding is moving forward, Meckler said she remains hopeful that additional negotiations can still be scheduled.
“We are hoping to schedule some negotiations with them,” she said. “But at this point, we haven’t scheduled anything.”
Teachers Seek Competitive Compensation
Asked why negotiations have stalled, Meckler said teachers believe compensation has fallen behind neighboring school districts.
“We simply cannot go backwards,” she said. “We need to bridge the gap in some way in order to remain competitive.”
Veteran teachers Mike Del Duca, entering his 29th year, and Amanda Morello, beginning her 22nd year with the district, said they hoped Tuesday’s demonstration would encourage meaningful progress.
“I just hope they understand that we would like to negotiate a fair contract and not have to go into the next school year without one,” Del Duca said.
“I think we need to really be serious about a fair contract,” Morello added. “I think we’re all realistic. It just has to be fair.”
Both teachers praised the turnout, saying they were encouraged to see fellow educators, retired teachers, parents, and community members standing together.
Public Comments and Board Response
During public comments, community members and educators urged the board to prioritize competitive teacher compensation, pointing to the area’s growth.
Michael Senna, a 35-year education veteran and local resident, pointed to the crowd as evidence of the community’s trajectory.
“What you have going on here is a lot of hard work on behalf of a lot of good people, and you need to encourage that,” Senna told the board. “We’re at a tipping point between a community that was and a community that is growing… I encourage you to provide a fair and equitable contract that gives these people the chance to stay here and do wonderful things for our students.”
Resident Jeremy Clark noted that the community turned out to show alignment between parents and educators.
“The board’s role is the success of all students, correct? And we are here with a bunch of people that also have that same role,” Clark said. “We want to show you guys that this is important not only to the public, but also to the teachers, and that we support their efforts.”
Addressing the board directly, Meckler emphasized that teachers are preparing for the upcoming school year while negotiations remain open.
“As summer continues, our teachers are preparing for another school year and looking forward to welcoming your students back to school,” Meckler said. “They should not have to do so while still wondering when they will have a fair, equitable contract… This isn’t just about a contract. It’s about how much this district values education and the professionals who educate your children.”
Following public comments, board members acknowledged the turnout and addressed the negotiation process.
Board member Mike Bordt thanked attendees and recognized veteran teachers in the room.
“As a board, this is new for me,” explained Bordt. “I want to do what I can to keep you guys around… and we’re going to do our best when it gets to the table to make that happen.”
Board member Aaron Rose noted that opinions vary among board members regarding negotiations.
“As a board, we are not a monolith here. There are different opinions on the board,” Rose said. “Just as the teachers have a negotiating team, the board has a negotiating team, and it doesn’t necessarily represent the opinions of every board member.”
What’s Next
The fact-finding process is expected to continue in August. Once the independent fact-finder issues recommendations, both the school board and the teachers’ union will vote separately on whether to accept them.
Until that process is completed, a new collective bargaining agreement is not expected.
