CAIRO PULBIC SCHOOL TEACHERS REMAIN ON STRIKE

CAIRO, Ill. -- Cairo public school students are getting an extended Thanksgiving holiday.

The city's four public schools remain closed today following a walkout of teachers last week when salary negotiations broke down.

This marks the fourth day of no school for the more than 1,000 students. It could be next week before school resumes, said superintendent of schools, Dr. Elaine Bonifield.

Bonifield said Monday that teachers had been offered binding arbitration. Ron Newell, president of the Cairo Association of Teachers, said late Monday that the association will submit a letter to the board today, accepting binding arbitration.

Under binding arbitration, the two parties agree to submit their arguments to a third party, which will make a ruling.

The administration maintains it can't afford an 8 percent increase sought by the teachers, and has offered a 10 percent raise over the next two years -- 4 percent this year and 6 percent next year.

It was originally announced that teachers were seeking a 7 percent raise, but Bonifield said Monday it was closer to 8 percent.

"We made the binding arbitration offer over the weekend," said Bonifield. School and CAT representatives met in what was described as "informal sessions."

"We have to follow state rules and regulations," said Bonifield. "That means we have to give a 48-hour notice of the arbitration meeting."

With Thursday being a holiday, that could delay arbitration until Friday, which creates another unfortunate problem, this for the high school's basketball team, said Bonifield.

"The team is scheduled to play this weekend," said Bonifield. "But state regulations say that a school can't participate in athletic competition unless school is in session the day before a game.