South Butler County teachers and the school board remain divided on the size of wage increases, contributions toward health insurance, early retirement incentives and the length of the school day.

A three-member arbitration panel will hold a closed hearing at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 on the school district campus in Jefferson to review final offers. The panel's decision, which is not binding, is likely to be announced in mid-January.

South Butler teachers have been without a new contract since July 2008 and have gone on strike twice since their old pact expired.

They could take to the picket lines once again if no agreement is reached following the current arbitration. Such a walkout would have to be brief because the district is required under state law to provide 180 days of instruction by June 30.

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