Dartmouth school teachers have worked since last September without a contract, and wore their frustration via “SETTLE NOW” badges at the May 8 School Committee meeting.

The Dartmouth Educators Association — which represents school employees — and the district will enter mediation as the next step for a new teacher's contract, officials announced to a standing-room-only crowd.

“We have some things we’re holding on to. District administration has things they’re holding onto. And neither side is willing to work to make concessions at this point,” said association President Renee Vieira. She said the two parties have been in negotiation for a three-year teachers’ contract since November 2015.

Major sticking points include proposed language that no longer applies due to updated state regulations, said Vieira. Other discussion points include proposed scheduling changes and tech-based curriculum.

“We just come at the issues with a different lens, but I don’t think we were that far apart on the last few things that were left,” Superintendent Bonny Gifford said. She expects mediation to begin in early June.

Contracts for teaching assistants and secretaries has already been ratified, and the one for school nurses is almost complete, Vieira said. The association and district administration must now agree on a date to hold mediation hearings before they can continue.

The association requested mediation after several hours of negotiations on April 11.