LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Wednesday, school officials with the Pulaski County Special School District met with both PASS and PCSSD union representatives with hopes they would come to a budget agreement.
"It's sad we couldn't come to an agreement," said Pulaski Association of Support Staff (PASS) President Emry Chesterfield.
The school's spokesperson said the meeting ended in a stalemate, unable to close a more than $4 million gap.
"We are looking at things like severance pay, accrued leave versus sick leave," said Superintendent Dr. Jerry Guess of the Pulaski County Special School District, prior to entering the meeting. But both unions say the cuts were not enough. In addition, attempts by the district to cut teacher school days fail upon deaf ears with union leaders.
"That just means teachers will have to do more work and the same work have to be done," said PACT President Marty Nix.
Union leaders wanted the district to make administrative cuts. Nix says the district must share the burden.
"There have been cuts at the district level all the way to the top administrators. So the district has made cuts to the tune of $7 million," said Spokesperson Deb Roush of the Pulaski County Special School District.
Chesterfield said there is an underlying motive on the part of school officials. "Let's talk about the real reason. They want both unions gone...that's not going to happen," said Chesterfield.
Both parties said they will now consult with their attorneys to determine the appropriate actions.