NORMAL -- Normal-based Unit 5 school district and its teachers union have not set a date for more contract negotiations, but officials say that isn't unusual for this time of year.

The current four-year contract will expire Aug. 19. It covers 900 certified staff members, including nurses, school psychologists, social workers, librarians and speech pathologists,

Superintendent Gary Niehaus said it isn't uncommon for there to be a period in the summer without talks because it is difficult to get everyone together for meetings. Bloomington District 87 approved its three-year contract in October 2008 after a similar pause in talks.

Unit Five Education Association members turned down a proposed three-year agreement June 8. Both sides agreed not to reveal details on that vote or contract proposals until an agreement is reached.

"Our members obviously had concerns with the proposed agreement, especially the length of the contract," Jon Butler, union president said at the time.

He didn't explain if the three-year contract proposal was too short or too long. The previous contract was four years.

Both sides also previously said the economy has been a factor in negotiations.

Medical coverage was a source of concern between to the two sides for months. A temporary agreement for enhanced coverage will expire Tuesday, and coverage will return to previous levels until a new contract takes effect.

The beginning salary for Unit 5 teachers with a bachelor's degree is $32,030, almost $1,800 a year less than their counterparts earn in Bloomington District 87. At the top of the education and experience scale, Unit 5 teachers reach $74,288, which is about $8,100 less than the top of the District 87 scale.

Unit 5 schools educate more than 12,000 students in Normal, Bloomington, Carlock, Hudson and Towanda.

The current agreement can be seen online at http://ufea.org/contract/.