Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Teachers showed up in numbers at the Springfield School District 186 Board Meeting Monday night.  Teacher Andie Marvel noted that it’s difficult to hear negotiations have gone to federal mediation since the Springfield Education Association has shown up 12 times to work on contract negotiations. She also mentioned it’s difficult to put much faith in inclusivity and other workshops when the school board has stopped negotiations.

SEA President Aaron Graves reminded the board of all the things Springfield Educators do while teaching and called them the “heartbeat” of the school district. Teachers in Springfield have been in talks with District 186 since January.

Also, Jon Hughes, father of 15-year-old Hannah Hughes, who died by suicide, had harsh words for board members. Hughes urged teachers at the meeting to be the kind of people students who are victimized by bullying or with a difficult home life could talk to and perhaps make a difference. Hughes accused the school board of not doing enough to address the problem of bullying, which he referred to as “mental abuse”.

Hughes had also addressed Springfield City Council at the July 1st meeting, urging council members to address the problem of bullying in Springfield.