Negotiations between the school district and the local teacher's union may have reached an impasse.

Paradise Unified School District Board of Trustees voted in closed session on Tuesday to file an impasse with the state regarding negotiations with the Teacher's Association of Paradise. Board members say they are not getting anywhere in negotiations with TAP and are having trouble getting TAP leadership to the table to discuss possible budget cuts.

TAP leaders, on the other hand, say they have offered several times to meet with the district but have been unsuccessful scheduling meetings with them, and unsuccessful reaching a compromise on various proposals. Trustee Tim Titus said the decision to file the impasse was based on the economic crisis, the fact that time is running out, and there is no indication there will be an agreement with TAP anytime soon. The impasse is filed with the state and begins with a hearing, Titus said.

If negotiations prove to be fruitful in the meantime, they may be able to work things out, he said. Right now, however, there is no indication they will get where they need to be.

"We're a little surprised," TAP president Charles Staser said. "Our assumption was that the school district budget was in good shape (through 2011)."

Furthermore, Staser said TAP does not agree an impasse has been reached because they are in the bargaining process and proposals have been exchanged for consideration.

He said he believes the district

is "fear mongering" in an attempt to force TAP into changing the contract and they are using the budget mess in