Jefferson Parish public school teachers are holding a rally outside tonight's school board meeting at Bonnabel High Magnet school.  Suddenly, the educators find themselves in very unfamiliar territory, it's been decades since teachers worked in Jefferson without a contract.

There is a lot of uneasiness about the future with recent school closures and personnel cutbacks but most important of all  they want a new a contract.  What is the worst case scenario?

''Is that they have to return to school without a contract,'' said Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Meladie Munch.

On the flip side, Munch is optimistic for now that they will continue to bargain in good faith with the board's representatives.

''That we get this contract done and in place before the beginning of school in August," Munch explained.

Jefferson Federation of Teachers President Meladie Munch:


She says many teachers are leery since personnel cutbacks in an on going austerity moves.