Teachers in the Edwardsville, Ill. School District have voted to reject the district's last contract offer, setting the stage for a possible strike.

The contract rejection allows the EEA to file an official notice of intent to strike with the state's Educational Labor Relations Board.

"As far as we're concerned, we're being forced into this action by a school board that's proposing the cut the educational quality at the exact time it needs to be enhanced," Edwardsville Education Association co-president Sallie Clark said in a press release.  "We continue to be frustrated and disappointed that it has come to this."

The EEA's press release says class sizes, retirement benefits, and compensation remain the major sticking points.

The school board declared an impasse on July 26, and teachers rejected the last best offer on Wednesday night. A mediator has been present at the last seven negotiating sessions.

The district did not immediately return a phone call for comment. The first day of school for Edwardsville students is Aug. 15.

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