JEFFERSON TWP — Nineteen months ago, negotiations began between the South Butler School District and its teachers.

Those negotiations continued Tuesday as the two sides try to reach agreement.

The 184 teachers in the district have been without a labor contract for a year. The previous agreement expired June 30, 2008.

"Things aren't going well," said Butch Santicola, spokesman for the teachers union. "Discussions are being held, but they aren't going anywhere."

When formal negotiations began in January 2008, the earliest allowed by law, negotiators from both sides expressed optimism.

Soon, it became apparent the talks weren't going smoothly. In April, the school board asked the state to step in with a mediator. Just after that school year ended, the teachers authorized a strike.

For 18 days in October and November, the teachers protested the lack of a contract in a walkout. Then, this spring, arbitration failed to result in a contract.

"Where we go from here will be decided," Santicola said. "This can't go on indefinitely."

The law allows the teachers to go on strike again in the coming school year if a contract isn't reached. However, Santicola said no decisions have been made about that.

Tom King, solicitor and negotiator for the district, said the board has offered to meet "on a regular basis during the summer." The meeting Tuesday was with the state-appointed mediator.

"As long as we're meeting, there is some hope," King said.

King said there has been some progress but economics continue to be a sticking point.

Neither side talked about the details of the latest proposals.

The arbitrator in March proposed teachers receive a salary increase of 4.3 percent in each year between 2008-09 and 2012-13.

The current average teacher pay is $51,249 and the starting pay is $33,621.

The two sides also disagree on health care and health insurance premium contributions.

Teachers currently pay $10 per month for individual health care coverage and $20 per month for a family.

Twice before the district has had labor discord with its teachers. Teachers in 1979 walked off the job for 11 days. Ten years later, a teacher strike began Jan. 16 and continued 40 days until March 11.

Since South Butler resolved its contract in 1989, the district has had peaceful negotiations.

While the teachers in South Butler have been struggling to get a contract, two other school districts in the county have agreed to extensions with their teachers. The Butler School District and the Slippery Rock School District signed early-bird contracts.