SAXONBURG — A couple of South Butler School District parents urged the school board to reach an agreement with district teachers who have been working without a contract since 2014.

Board members and administrators said little about negotiations during Wednesday’s meeting, but after the meeting solicitor Tom Breth said negotiating sessions are scheduled for Oct. 19 and 26.

“It’s hard to be optimistic,” Breth said.

He said the wage, health care, tuition reimbursement and service day proposals from the teachers’ union are beyond the district’s means.

Greg West, a resident with four children and whose wife is a high school teacher, said the lack of a contract can negatively impact property values and erode the tax base.

“The board’s inability to negotiate a contract is unacceptable,” West said.

Troy McCurdy, a Clinton Township parent and a teacher in the Pine-Richland School District, said he submitted a six-year contract proposal that he prepared.

He said the proposal, which contains pay freezes in the first two years, step increases in years three and four and two-step increases in years five and six, would result in a $42 average annual tax increase.

In other business, the district has received 22 applicants for the superintendent’s job, said Nelda Burda, school board president.

She said the board is reviewing the applications, and that interviews have been conducted or scheduled.

Frank Prazenica has been serving as acting superintendent since David Zupsic resigned in June.