At the rally, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said, “I believe the school board and the members of the teachers union both care about the children.”

Brown said he would be calling board president David Frazee, encouraging the board to return to the bargaining table.

Brown added, in a later statement, “Strongsville students deserve a settlement — now. But a settlement can’t be reached if the two parties aren’t talking. That’s why I joined teachers today — who told me how they want to be back in the classroom – and why I will keep in contact with the School Board. This issue is about fairness for educators and taxpayers alike. But most importantly, this is about our children’s wellbeing and their right to a quality education, which is why both sides need to come together now.”