By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

Hays USD 489 has reached impasse in negotiation with teachers for the second year in a row.

The teachers and the school district are citing differences over insurance and pay.

The district is wanting to decrease the percentage it pays toward dependent health insurance, which is currently about 83 percent. The district proposed continuing to pay 100 percent for single plans.

The district also proposed allowing for horizontal and vertical moves on the pay schedule as well as a flat $1,300 per year pay increase for both teachers and classified staff.

The approximate cost for raises for both certified and classified staff would be $750,000 of the $1.3 million additional funds the district will receive this year from the state.

The school board asked school officials to file the impasse paperwork after meeting with teachers Wednesday night. A date has not yet been set to meet with federal mediators.

See more on this story on Friday at Hays Post.