DUQUESNE, Pa. -- The extended summer vacation for Duquesne City School District students has come to an end.

The teachers are back to work following a short strike.

The strike lasted just three days, but it was long enough to disrupt the start of the school year.

But on Friday both teachers and students said they're relieved to be back in the classroom.

Principal Davaun Barnett started the morning as he does every day, waiting for students to arrive.

"I'm excited for the students, the family, the community, and excited to have the teachers back in school. It's something we've all been working for, and things are going well," Barnett said.

Teachers walked off the job on Tuesday, demanding more money. The union says the teachers are the lowest paid in the county. Although there's now a tentative agreement in place, union spokesperson Tom Sturm says not everyone is satisfied.

"For myself, I wasn't happy. There were people that were still upset. When you see the people coming in, they'll be happy to be in their jobs. But that's one aspect of their lives. The contract is another," said Sturm.

Parents like Roxanne Charles said her child is glad to be back in the classroom.

"I'm so glad that they're back because my daughter loves school so much, and she was so upset for these past couple of days. But now she's so excited she woke up at six this morning for me," said Charles.

But come January, it's back to the bargaining table as negotiations begin on a new contract for the following year. Sturm says the strike might have been short, but it was worthwhile.

"No it was not a waste of time. Definitely not a waste of time. We made some points -- the issues came out where we stand. I think that's not generally known now and it will be basis for negotiations in January," said Sturm.

Neither the union nor the administration would release the details about the agreements until the agreements are approved by the state board of control. That approval is expected to happen at the next board meeting scheduled for later this month.

Previous Story:
Sept. 2, 2008: Duquesne Teachers On Strike; No Class Tuesday