There were no negotiations yesterday between the South Butler County School District and its striking teachers -- nor are any planned until the strike that began Oct. 23 runs its course. But that didn't stop both sides from trading accusations.

Parties in the strike sent out dueling news releases yesterday, blaming each other for breaking a confidentiality agreement by divulging details of a Wednesday bargaining session.

After Wednesday's "sidebar" session, teachers union spokesman Butch Santicola sent out a news release that said that the union had presented a "total package that would have put the kids back in the classroom by Friday" and that the district had rejected that offer.

District Solicitor Tom King then told a reporter that the union's proposal asked for a 5.2 percent annual wage increase and maintained current levels of health care premiums.

Within about 20 minutes yesterday morning, both sides issued news releases decrying the breach of confidentiality.

Mr. King said that the union broke confidentiality by discussing the "total package" and that "once Mr. Santicola released the information about what they allegedly did in the sidebar, we have every right to defend ourselves."

Mr. Santicola said that the union "released nothing" by simply disclosing the existence of their offer during the sidebar session.

"Every time he does something like that and the board supports it, it solidifies our members even more," he said. "As long as they're going to keep doing stuff like this, there will be no resolution."

According to documents posted on the school district's Web site, the union previously was asking for a 5.9 percent average annual raise over a five-year contract. The school district is offering about 3.25 percent per year.

Both sides said yesterday that it is unlikely that there will be any future negotiating sessions before the end of the strike.

Students will return to school on Tuesday to complete their state-mandated 180 school days by June 15.

After the strike, teachers and the school board are required to submit to nonbinding arbitration.