HOPEDALE, Ohio -- Teachers in the Harrison Hills school district and the school board were unable to reach an agreement Sunday night, and now the teachers union is striking.

Harrison Hills superintendent Jim Drexler said students should still report to class. The school board has approved the hiring of Michigan-based Huffmaster, a company that provides replacement workers and security during work stoppages.

Linda Rusen, spokeswoman for the Harrison Hills Teachers Association, said teachers began their strike at 5:00 a.m. Monday morning. Rusen said teachers will be marching in front of numerous schools in the district throughout the strike.

The teachers have been working without a contract for months, and they rejected the school board's latest offer made late Sunday night.

The offer included a 2.5 percent increase in base salary from 2007-2008, and a three percent increase the following year. Additionally, the board promised teachers cheap insurance premiums--- in payments of no more than $49 a month.

But Rusen said the last-ditch attempt by the board was not enough, but she's hopeful an agreement will be reached soon: "You always ask for more and they always offer less, and you hope to meet in the middle," Rusen said.

In a statement released Sunday night, Drexler said the board regrets that it has come to this. Drexler also said "all non-certified and support staff will remain on the job, and normal attendance policies will be in effect for students. Attendance will be taken."

Look for live coverage of this strike on NEWS9 and continuing coverage on WTOV9.com.