The issues that sent Hermitage teachers to the picket line remain unresolved, but school administrators solved one question -- when seniors will graduate.

Commencement exercises will be at 7 p.m. June 14, according to schools Superintendent Karen Ionta.

That's if teachers don't go on strike again this school year.

The strike, held to seven days by state law, technically ends Friday. Because there was no school scheduled for Good Friday, teachers won't be picketing on the religious holiday.

Teachers and students will return to school Monday as a contract dispute between the 165-member Hermitage Education Association and the school board goes to nonbinding arbitration.

Mrs. Ionta said commencement, originally scheduled for June 5, was rescheduled to fulfill the 180 required days of school. Seniors cannot receive their diplomas until the school year is finished, said Mrs. Ionta.

Mrs. Ionta mailed letters today officially informing parents of the date change.

The teachers went on strike last Thursday after negotiations between the two sides broke down March 19. Contract negotiations began in January 2001, and the teachers have been working without a contract since July.

A negotiation session Tuesday brought no movement from either side on the key sticking point: raises for teachers.

The district is offering $1,600 a year raises and HEA wants its members to get $2,700 a year under a proposed three-year contract.

Once back in school, the teachers and the board will await word from the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board and an arbiter will step in and provide nonbinding final arbitration.

If either side votes down the arbiter's decision, teachers have the right to go back on strike, according to Act 88, the state law that covers contract negotiations. If that happens, students could be kept in school until June 30, the state-mandated last day of school.

If that occurs and no agreement is reached during the summer, teachers could strike at the beginning of next school year.

There are no negotiation meetings scheduled at this time.