Students in Poughkeepsie are resuming their studies today, while hundreds of educators press for new contracts.

The Poughkeepsie Public School Teachers Association notes that they are entering their sixth year without a renewed contract. They express their intent to reach an agreement with the district promptly, and raised these concerns just hours before the district's inaugural day of school.

Kim Popken, President of the Poughkeepsie Public School Teachers' Association, stated, "We are here on the eve of our students returning to school tomorrow, so this is a lot to ask these educators who have been in our classrooms preparing for students for the last two days."

The president of the board of education issued a statement to News 12, remarking that union labor contracts often pose challenges in resolution. The statement also emphasized that the inability to reach an agreement does not diminish the value or support for the teachers. A mediation session between the two parties is scheduled in the coming weeks.