Bend-La Pine educators say they’re frustrated but hopeful after missed contract negotiation deadline

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Bend Education Association has provided an update on the status of contract negotiations with Bend-La Pine Schools. With only two scheduled full-day sessions left, educators say they are frustrated but still hopeful of reaching a deal.

"Things were moving along. We were seeing good progress. We had been able to find some middle ground on some of our issues that we're working through -- and right before winter break, there was a situation that kind of just slowed everything down," BEA President Sarah Barclay told us.

A winter break deadline was set by both parties in hopes to begin the new year with a fresh contract. But according to the union, delays in the districts presenting of information caused them to miss the deadline.

"It did take the district that entire day to craft that proposal. So that really slowed down the process, because not much back and forth was able to be done that day," Barclay said.

Educators who have been working without a contract in place since last summer are still hopeful for the last two meetings to bring progress.

But if an agreement or improvement in talks don't happen, the union says a cooling-off period will be needed, and a mediator could be brought in for future meetings. If mediation does not work, a strike could be possible.

The union says parents and the community will be notified of any future decisions.

We spoke to Bend La Pine Schools earlier this month on where they stand with the union.

School district Director of Communications Scott Maben says many contract language issues were resolved during six full-day meetings before winter break.

"We still have work left to do here in the New Year," Maben said. "So we have scheduled two more full-day sessions. That's on January 19th and January 22nd, and we'll continue bargaining at that time. "

The big issue, as you might expect, focuses on pay raises.