Andanh.com

About half of Halstead's teachers have rejected a unilateral contract issued by the school district, officials said Wednesday.

But officials on both sides of the teacher-contract battle say they're optimistic going into negotiations for a new contract, which again will focus on terms of the district's early retirement policy.

"My goal would be to sit down, really put things on the table and come to an agreement that's in the best interest of everyone involved," said Duane Knoll, a Halstead science teacher and union president.

David Burns, attorney for the Halstead school board, said 29 of the district's 59 teachers signed and returned their contracts by Monday's deadline.

The rest -- about 65 percent of tenured teachers -- opted not to sign the 2007-08 contract, and will instead work under the previous contract.