DPS Superintendent Rhonda Corr said Monday night that the two sides “had some good and productive talks.” The teachers union released a short statement thanking community members for their support. President David Romick has said he expects the talks to go down to the wire, with the union planning to go on strike at 12:01 a.m. Friday if a deal is not in place. The first day of classes is Tuesday, Aug. 15.

Some teachers are wearing buttons that say, “I don’t want to strike, but I will,” as the union pushes for higher pay, better counselor/librarian staffing, and retention of teacher planning time, among other issues. Corr has repeatedly said she doesn’t want a strike either, but has to weigh the teachers’ requests against the district’s financial constraints.