—”We live in a free country. People can make their choice.”—
And with freedom comes responsibilty and consequences. Yep, they are free to defy the judge, and reap the rewards/consequences of the action.
Is the district free to fire them since they refuse to go back to work? The air traffic controller’s strike comes to mind.
They aren’t teaching anyway. Firing them doesn’t make much of a difference.
I have mixed feelings about this. Anyway, if the judge has any balls, he'll jail every single teacher for contempt - he has the power to do so. I'm not so sure the judge has the power to order them to work, but he certainly has the power to hold them in contempt.
Looking toward the relationship between the town and the teachers, I am 100% in agreement with your point of view. Fire them.