JEFFERSON TWP — A parent of a student in the South Butler School District criticized the school board for allowing teachers to work without a current contract for the start of the third school year.

Dawn Mock, a parent, expressed her concern about a possible teachers’ strike to the board during the Wednesday night meeting.

The district’s more than 160 teachers have been working under a contract that expired June 30, 2014.

“As the rumors continue around the community, the toll that these long and drawn-out negotiations has taken on the district staff and families is vast,” Mock said. “I myself do not even discuss the possibility of a strike in my household, but sadly, my children do come home and ask me if teachers will strike and why.

“How sad is it that our children even have to know what this means ... I can tell you that students are very affected in these situations. Currently, you can feel the tension in the community and in the school atmosphere, and it is not something that I want my children, or any other child in this district, to have to experience.”

Mock also endured a teacher strike in her time as a student in the district, she said, giving the district a reputation.

“Why is it that we have this tension that looms with every contract renewal: Will they get it settled or will there be a strike?” Mock asked. “I understand that some districts experience these issues at times also, but not to the capacity that we have over the many years. South Butler is now that district — the striking district, the steppingstone district. I can think of much better things that I would like my hometown to be known for.”

Mock also said this lack of a contract agreement will not draw high-quality teachers to the district.

District solicitor Tom Breth said the last negotiation meeting was Sept. 8, lasting around three or four hours.

Since the contract expired in 2014, the two sides have met about 36 times, Breth said.

Mock’s fear of a strike is not unfounded.

The teachers’ union took a strike authorization vote in the spring, according to Brooke Witt, the chief negotiator for the union.

Before a strike occurs, the association is required to give administration 48 hours’ notice to contact parents and students, according to Superintendent David Zupsic.

The number of days teachers can strike also is limited to ensure quality student education. Students are required to complete 180 days of instruction by June 15, Zupsic said.

At Wednesday night’s meeting, the board also approved a 3 percent wage increase for administrators, but Zupsic said that does not affect him.