Part of the Harrison County courthouse will shut down Thursday afternoon to make way for another bargaining session between Harrison Hills teaches and the board of education.

Superintendent Jim Drexler said the board will present an offer and said he hopes to see an immediate vote if both sides come to an agreement. If they don't reach an agreement, Drexler said he wants union leadership to allow the teachers to see the board's offer and vote on it themselves through secret ballot.

Judges Matthew Puskarich and Michael Nunner cleared their schedules to make way for the bargaining session. Both judges asked the parties to take a look at the damage the strike is causing in the community and urged them to come to an agreement.

The Ohio Department of Education will also send in a team to the district on Thursday to review the certification of several substitutes. So far, the department said it is not aware of any problems.

The meeting is scheduled to being at 1 p.m. Stay with NEWS9 and WTOV9.com for continuing coverage as details become available.

-Renee Cardelli & Jackie Cain, NEWS9