SOUTH BEND — With only six days of school left, South Bend teachers say they're worried another summer could go by without a contract.

The union has been negotiating with school administrators since January 2007.

Superintendent Robert Zimmerman says negotiations are progressing, but teachers and other school staffers say that's not enough.

The pay for the custodial and lunchroom staff is tied to the teacher's pay. Lunchroom staffers say no one will see a pay raise unless teachers get one.

Teachers lined the street again Monday afternoon with a familiar message: they want a contract. This time, some new faces joined the picket line.

"Their raises are the same raise we get," said Joannie Six, a lunchroom manager at Riley High School.

"The pay is really low considering what we do. We are feeding the children of the South Bend School Corporation. Without us, they don't eat," said Marilyn Zemlyack, another lunchroom manager at Riley High School.

They say keeping lunchroom staff hasn't been easy.

"One lady that quit after working for two days says she has never worked so hard for so less money and went on to find a better job," said Six.

Even when school ends a week from Wednesday, most lunchroom employees won't get a summer break.

"I am going to look for a part time job through a temp service because there is no way I can make it without one," Zemlyack said.

But they say they won't quit on the kids who also showed their support for them and the teachers.

"I love my teachers," said Amber Marcott, a Washington High School freshman.

"It doesn't seem fair. They are the ones teaching us, educating us to make us better," said Jerra Jamerson, another Washington High School freshman.

School board members could hear the passing cars honking in support of teachers.

"I am very concerned," said school board member Marcia Hummel. "This is a record."

"There's an increased desire on both sides to get this over with. But it's complex issue that requires a lot of discussion and some difficult decisions," said Zimmerman.

He says those decisions could include service and staff cuts, but says he's confident a contract will be reached before next Wednesday.

Teachers and other school staff don't share that confidence.

School board members have to approve the contract. They say they still have not gotten any update on the status of negotiations.