ROMEOVILLE, Ill. (WLS) — Teachers in the Valley View School District are set to walk off the job this month.

The district covers Romeoville and Bolingbrook.

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Jared Ploger, president of Valley View Council, the union representing the workers, announced a strike date of Thursday, Sept. 18 at a rally on Monday evening.

Ploger’s announcement comes after the teachers filed an “intent to strike notice” last week and ahead of a bargaining session planned for Tuesday.

The teachers and the district have been arguing about an additional 20 minutes being added to the school day.

District officials say the extra instructional time will lead to higher test scores. Teachers say it puts unnecessary burdens on staff.

Ploger issued a statement on Monday night, saying, “This has gone on long enough. We have put forth a responsible proposal. We have bargained in good faith. At this point, the Valley View Board of Education leaves us with no other choice but to set a strike date.

The Board refuses to budge on their proposal for an earlier start time for high schoolers and ignores what our members know to be true: it’s not in the best interest of our students or our district. And tonight, again, the community has made their stance clear – they stand with staff.

A strike is never our goal. It’s always a last resort. But we are rapidly approaching that point. The Board of Education must come back to the table ready to work towards a fair contract – one that puts students first. Our members are united, and we will stand strong.”

The video in the player above is from a previous report.