More than 550 employees have participated in the teachers strike in Galesburg as the union and board of education are unable to reach a contract agreement.

The strike has gone on nearly two full weeks. School was scheduled to start earlier this month.

Superintendent Bart Arthur says the Galesburg Education Association and the district have to negotiate the days to be made up after a contract is agreed upon.

State officials say the district has to have 176 school days or it could be in danger of losing some of its state funding.

School district officials say teachers rejected an offer that equaled a 5.04 percent increase over three years. Union officials say the contract doesn't include fair working conditions, including just cause for dismissal.