A large sign standing at the intersection of Reed and Abbey Lanes said it all: "No contract. Join the teachers Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m."

Approximately 500 teachers and residents showed up early to rally before the Levittown Board of Education meeting protesting alleged unfair sick leave practices. A sick leave policy is the first stage of a lengthy contract renewal process for the Levittown United Teachers. The union has worked without a contract since June 30.

In a letter dated Jan. 9 and signed by the seven members of the board of the education, the board wrote that educators could receive an "unsatisfactory" end-of-the-year evaluation if they violated proposed sick leave policies. The proposal, designed by the board, said to avoid a negative evaluation, teachers can't have more than six absences per year in three of five consecutive years and can't use any sick leave to work in other paid employment.

When the board meeting began at 8 p.m., 30 people spoke negatively of the plan saying that it would only worsen morale and would punish many for the few sick leave abusers.

Teacher Patty Block approached the board donning a white apron and white nurse's mask. "We are not sick leave abusers," she said. "When you work in a school, germs spread. We would have to wear this every day to avoid getting sick."

The proposal was "arbitrary and punitive," said teacher Diane Ambrosio. "We don't get paid overtime or bonuses for what we do," she said. "You never hear about the good ones. There are teachers that are out seven to 10 days with the flu. They are not sick leave abusers."

Ambrosio added that many school districts reward educators that don't use their sick time, something Levittown doesn't do. "Forty-three of 52 school districts here give back for sick days. They give bonuses based on the number of days missed," she said.

The Levittown United Teachers held a similar rally before the board in November. Union President Martha Martin said another rally was necessary because nothing has been done in the last three months.

"There have been no discussions since Dec. 19," she said. "We're willing to sit anytime. What we want is a shortened 90-day hearing process when we let an arbitrator decide."

Levittown School Superintendent Dr. Herman Sirois said the sides haven't met since Dec. 19 due to an "impasse." Although no firm date has been scheduled for more contract negotiations, talks will take place soon, he said.

"I'm hopeful to come to an agreement," said Dr. Sirois. "I expect progress."

The superintendent also said that in contract negotiations, a number of proposals are made before a final pact is reached.

"This is not our final proposal," he said. "This is only a starting point. I don't expect the contract will end up looking this way."

Martin said if no progress is made in the next month, another rally will take place at the March 13 board of education meeting and further rallies will take place if need be.

"You must show us that you value your teachers," Martin said to the board. "Any words you say are hollow given your actions. Let's get back to the table and move on to the visible issues we all know await us."

It could take months before a final contract is agreed upon. Even if the two sides compromise on the sick leave policy quickly, many other issues will be raised, said Martin. She identified salaries as one issue. But she declined to discuss any other union demands because "they have not been made public yet."