Striking South Butler County teachers will return to their classrooms tomorrow with no progress reported on reaching a new contract.
The school district's 186 teachers began picketing on Sept. 21, and they were still out in force yesterday.
They were carrying signs along Knoch and Dinnerbell roads in Jefferson with messages like "Teachers are the core of education" and "Knoch out a fair pact." South Butler County's senior high and middle schools are named for Eva Knoch, who donated land to the district.
State law requires that teachers return to the classroom by tomorrow to assure that the district is able to schedule at least 180 days of instruction by June 15. Both sides also will have to participate in mandatory, but non-binding, arbitration.
If no settlement is reached, teachers would be able to go on strike a second time for as long as two weeks later this school year.
The major issues dividing the two sides involve the size of salary increases, the amount of employee contributions toward health insurance and the length of the school day.
Union spokesman Butch Santicola said his members were eager to return to the classroom. At the same time, teachers remained united behind their negotiators. "We're not asking for the moon," he said.
Teachers are seeking annual 4.3 percent raises, retroactive to the 2008-09 school year and continuing through 2012-13. The district has offered salary hikes starting at 2.03 percent and ending at 4.34 percent in 2012-13.
The teachers also oppose a district proposal to increase the school day -- currently 7 hours 20 minutes -- by another 10 minutes.
The biggest obstacle to a new contract, however, appears to be disagreement over how much teachers should contribute toward rising health-care costs.
Mr. Santicola has said the school board is taking advantage of tough economic times to shift more costs to its employees. School board Solicitor Tom Breth has said "significant changes in health-care coverage" are critical to a settlement.
South Butler County teachers have been without a contract since June 30, 2008.
Assistant Superintendent Dale Lumley said he and other administrators are looking forward to the return of teachers and students.
The school board will meet tomorrow to amend the district calendar to reflect the effects of the strike. That public session will begin at 7 p.m. in the Knoch Middle School Library.
When asked about the labor dispute yesterday, only a few people were willing to comment on the record.
Kody Phillips, 22, of Saxonburg, said his three younger brothers -- who recently moved here from Texas -- were eager to start school in South Butler County. "But I agree with the teachers who are looking to get paid a little more," he said.
Tom Alberti, 61, of Jefferson, said he would favor binding arbitration. "This is 2009 and teachers have to realize that what they are paying for health benefits is nothing compared to what most folks have to pay," he said.
"I just want to get back to school," said Natalie Perschke, 16, a junior at Knoch Senior High School.
First Published: October 6, 2009, 4:00 a.m.
