South Butler School District parents, teachers and other taxpayers attended the district's board meeting Wednesday at Knoch Middle School, where several gave their opinions on the contract dispute between the district and teachers union.

SAXONBURG - The South Butler School District's meeting Wednesday was packed with people concerned about the district's contract dispute with the teachers' union.

Many who crowded into Knoch Middle School's library for the meeting were there as a show of support for the union, while some supported the district.

The teachers have been without a contract since the beginning of 2014, after the last contract expired.

The district voted Wednesday to again accept the results of a fact-finding report from fact-finder Jane DeSimone, who held a hearing in August regarding the contract dispute.

The initial vote to accept the report was Sept. 5. The union also voted on the report the same day and rejected the results.

Union representative Brooke Witt said Wednesday there would be no second vote by the union, and that the board would be notified Thursday of the union's decision to reject the fact-finding report.

“The board is frustrated with the teachers' entitlement mentality and their demonstrated lack of concern or respect for the financial burdens placed upon the residents of this school district,” said district solicitor Tom Breth.

“I am frustrated that this (contract dispute) has been a game that the district has been playing with the teachers for so long,” said Tracy Ambrose, a parent of Knoch High School students.

Witt said Wednesday that she was “not sure” if a teachers strike will happen, and that the union is intent on continuing negotiations.

A full report will appear in the Butler Eagle.