COLUMBUS, Ohio (NEWSnet/AP) —  A strike by teachers in Ohio's largest school district entered its third day Wednesday — the first day of school for some 47,000 students, with some of those students and their parents rallying to their sides.

More than 94% of the Columbus Education Association members voted to reject the school board's final offer late Sunday. The union represents more than 4,000 teachers, librarians, nurses and other employees.

The union in a statement said it wants schools with better heating and air conditioning, smaller class sizes, and a more well-rounded curriculum that includes art, music and physical education.

The school board said its offer to the union put children first. In addition to offering a compensation package for teachers, the board declared that their "provisions that would have a positive impact on classrooms.”

The tens of thousands of students in the district are now starting the school year with remote education, made up of lesson plans and videos they can access through their schools without a teacher to guide them.

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