Although their teachers contract ends Sunday, Farrell Area School District officials said negotiations have proceeded amicably.

The teachers have not made an ultimatum to district negotiators or threatened to strike, said school board member Lester Robinson Jr., who is on the negotiating committee.

The teachers have not formally asked for a contract extension, said Superintendent Richard R. Rubano Jr.

The next bargaining session is set for July 9

Board President Michael Wright, who is not on the negotiating committee, said he's "not uncomfortable" that an agreement has not been reached while the end of the five-year pact looms.

"I think that they're close to working things out," he said.

The agreement on the current contract was reached several weeks after the previous pact expired.

Negotiations with the 95-member Farrell Teachers Association began in January, but financial issues such as wages were addressed for the first time in late May.

The school board built a salary increase into its newly passed budget, but officials have not said what that percentage is.

"I think we're making good progress because both sides understand the situation," Robinson said. "I don't like to keep bringing it up, but we are a poor school district."

"They're not making ridiculous demands on us," Robinson added.

Teacher negotiators could not be reached for comment.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Joe Pinchot at jpinchot@sharon-herald.com