Wednesday was the first day of school for 47,000 students in Ohio’s largest school district. The teachers had agreed to strike days before the students were scheduled to return to their classrooms after the summer.

Some of the students and parents agreed with the teachers and offered their support.

Employees of the school district, teachers, students and parents, said that there were several issues that needed to be addressed, including better heating and air conditioning in the classrooms, smaller classes, safer buildings and a broader curriculum. 

The strikers picketed on the sidewalk outside Whetstone High School, blasting music, waving at drivers, and held up signs. An example of the signs’ messages included, “A history lesson in progress,” “Columbus school deserves a working air,” and “Columbus students deserve: We care! Do you?”

The school district and board began negotiations on Wednesday and said that the priority is the children. 

The spokesperson for the Columbus Education Association, Regina Fuentes, described the agreement as a win-win and a good deal for all. Although details will not be disclosed until all the union members review and vote on the proposal, which should happen over the weekend, both sides have agreed to the deal, and the students will return to their classrooms next week.

The board said they offered a generous payment package for teachers and provisions that would help improve the classrooms. 

“What they are asking is reasonable,” one of the picketers said in an interview. “The school district and teachers should be able to come together.”

Because around 4,500 staff, not only teachers but other school workers, were on strike, the school district had to do virtual classes with substitutes on Wednesday. Some of the online access consisted of lessons that did not require a teacher. 

Many students don’t like virtual learning because they say it’s boring and prefer to see their friends in school. They are more motivated to learn in a social situation than at home, where they are easily distracted and restless. They appreciate the interaction and support from the teacher and staff.