Board President Paul Bailey said despite the association's claim last week that the board had asked for an impasse, the board still wants to work out a new contract with teachers.
"The board is willing to go back to the table for productive discussions," Bailey said during the board meeting.
The sides have not been back to the negotiating table since Wednesday when negotiations collapsed. The association's contract expires June 30.
A red ladder topped by a gold hoop rested against a red truck where teachers rallied before the meeting.
Writing on the hoop told board members, "B.O.E. Please jump."
Sasse and Steve Benson, a member of the association's bargaining team, said the board's proposed career ladder, a cumulative point system that would reward teachers in certain leadership positions, is unacceptable.
Sasse said before the rally that teachers want more planning time for their classes and better discipline in schools.
"The career ladder is important to the board, the other stuff is important to us. We're willing to mediate all that," Sasse said.
Teachers filled the seats, leaned against the walls and sat several rows deep on the floor in the board room after the rally, while an overflow crowd spilled into the building's lobby.
Board members addressing the situation after the public comment period ended said they still wanted to work with teachers.
"The teachers' career ladder is not the board's career ladder, it is not the superintendent's career ladder, it is the teachers' career ladder," board member Roxanne Ober said.
The career ladder would allow teachers to climb the pay scale after accumulating enough points through participation in certain leadership roles.
Benson and Sasse have said the system is unfair because not all teachers can qualify for extra pay. They say teachers should be better compensated for the work they do in the classroom.
Ober said in extensive remarks after most teachers had left that the board has worked hard to increase teachers' pay while absorbing increases in health deductibles and premiums. It also has instituted codes dealing with integrity and dress, she said.
The board is not trying to play games with the teachers, Ober said.
"We are willing to go back to the table and talk," Bailey said.
