SOUTH BEND — South Bend teachers have silently worked this school year without a contact. Now, they're taking their fight public. They'll picket in front of the administration office during Monday night's school board meeting.

Negotiations began between school administrators and the teachers union January 2007. Teachers and school board members say they haven't heard anything about the negotiations for months. And some teachers say they don't want another year to go by without a contract.

"You can't get too concerned with money. It's not fair to kids. They don't understand the difference," said biology teacher Chris Matthys.

But pay makes a difference to others.

"We feel the salary offer is too low," said Carolyn Peterson, president of National Education Association. "Beginning teachers could qualify for food stamps."

Friday afternoon, teachers made signs and one thing very clear — they want a contract now.

"You can't expect people to do more and more and not keep up with the cost of living," said Peterson.

Teachers aren't the only ones saying they want a contract now.

"We want this settled as soon as possible, but we haven't had an update since I believe it was January," said Sheila Bergeron, South Bend School Board president.

No contract could make it difficult for the board to make next year's budget or hire new teachers.

"It might be harder because they want a contract and to know what their salary is," said Bergeron.

Matthys says no matter how rewarding his job is, only money pays his bills.

"There's other compensation for the jobs that's not dollars and cents, but I've never been able to take a kids thank you and send it to NIPSCO," said Matthys.

We tried to contact Superintendent Robert Zimmerman and Myrtle Wilson who handles the negotiations. Both are in California on a business trip.

Teachers and school board members hope to have a contract before graduation.