Student leaders got up before dawn to go see Gov. Gary Locke, looking for answers to help end the strike.

The governor told the students they need to speak out and keep taking action to try and end the strike.

"I understand the students' concerns and I, too, would like to see this strike come to an end as soon as possible," Locke said, in a statement. "I respect the rights of the teachers and the school district to sort out their own differences. However, I hope they will work hard to resolve those differences as quickly as possible."

Dustin Dekle, the student leader, who organized a protest campout this week, said Thursday he got a call from Locke to arrange a meeting the next morning.

Students Stage Protest

Negotiators for the 700 striking teachers and the school system met Thursday with a state mediator and are scheduled to reconvene next Wednesday, said Elaine Hanson, president of the Marysville Education Association.

By then, about 11,000 students will have missed 22 school days which will have to be made up under a state law which requires that public schools be in session at least 180 days.

The strike began Sept. 2. Teachers have sought a three-year contract with raises totaling 11 percent.

A three-day sit-in and campout across the street from school district headquarters with students who want to get back to class ended Thursday.

"I don't care about the politics anymore," said Jennifer Campbell, 16, a Marysville-Pilchuck High School junior, as she stowed her camping gear. "I want to go to class."