JEFFERSON TWP— Teachers in the South Butler School District will hit the picket lines again beginning Sept. 21, the teacher association announced this morning.

Butch Santicola, spokesman for the 185 teachers in the district, said this morning that the teachers handed over the required notice to the school board. He noted that eight negotiation sessions are scheduled between now and Sept. 21. The two sides will negotiate today.

"There is a possible settlement right in front of them and they don't see it," Santicola said referring to an arbitrator's report that was rejected this spring.

Victor Morrone, a spokesman for the district, said this morning the board received the strike notice at a negotiation session Tuesday night. He noted the notice, which is required by law, gives the sides time to come to a resolution before teachers walk out of the classroom.

Only 48 hours' notice is required.

"They agreed to meet aggressively to get this resolved," Morrone said.

He said the district has not yet canceled classes for the students. Rather, the district will wait to see how negotiations progress. He said he was preparing a notice this morning to go out to the community, letting people know about the situation.

The teachers have been working under the terms of an expired contract since June 30, 2008. Salaries and health care are two of the major sticking points.

Teachers last fall went on strike for 18 days.

Tuesday was the first day of classes in the district.