It appears as though teachers will continue to work without a contract in the Palmerton Area School District for the foreseeable future.

A fact-finder's report from the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board was accepted by the school board, and rejected by the PAEA, said Superintendent Scot Engler.He said there is a time period for both sides to revote."By law we have to re vote on the package since we voted no the first time," said PAEA President Tom Smelas. "At this time I have no comment until our second vote has been taken and reported to the State Labor Relations Board. After our second vote I will gladly give you a comment."A hearing was held on Feb. 12, at which time the state mediator issued a recommended proposal that called for a four-year contract.According to the report: "Although the School District listed 'Term of Agreement' as one of its issues in the dispute, the association did not offer an alternative proposal. Therefore, this issue is no longer in dispute."The report says that the term of agreement will be for four years, beginning on July 1, 2012, and ending on June 30, 2016.Teachers have been working without an agreement since their three-year contract expired in June 2012.That contract called for a 3 percent increase in teachers' salaries.Since then, both the district and the PAEA have been mired in contract negotiations.In December, the PAEA rejected a counter offer from Palmerton Area School Board, as teachers continue to work without a contract.Most recently, both parties agreed to ask a state mediator for a recommended proposal.On Oct. 21, the state mediator issued a recommended proposal that called for a four-year contract with a 3 percent increase in teachers salaries.As part of that proposal, teachers would see no salary increase in 2012-13; 2.87 percent in 2013-14(back to September); 3.02 percent in 2014-15; and 3.37 percent increase in 2015-16.On Nov. 14, the district accepted the state mediator's proposal.But, on Nov. 18, the PAEA rejected the proposal, at which time the district re-implemented its last best offer and final offer, and again takes back wages off the table.The board explains its statement of issues on the district's website.The information may be found at

www.palmerton.org, under the link "Negotiation Info."