DANVILLE – While there's no tentative agreement yet, Danville Education Association and school district officials said Tuesday night that they feel confident they can reach a settlement at their next round of talks and avert a strike.

Around 9:15 p.m., union President Robin Twidwell and Superintendent Mark Denman made a joint statement, saying that the two sides met with a federal mediator for more than four hours, and finally were able to make some progress on negotiations. While they didn't resolve everything, both teams agreed to meet with the mediator again at 2 p.m. Sunday.

"Both parties are hopeful we can reach an agreement," Denman said, adding he thought both sides showed "good-will and good-faith bargaining."

Twidwell echoed that sentiment. And when asked about the chances of a strike at this point, she said, "we certainly hope it's unlikely."

Before Tuesday's talks, the two sides had yet to agree on financial and language issues. The main reason for the impasse was a proposed salary freeze for most employees.

District officials had said it was necessary given the uncertainty of state funding and the economic climate. But union officials had argued that they've taken major concessions – including to health insurance in 2006 and to the salary schedule last year –that have saved the districts millions of dollars. They said they're asking for minimal raises that the district could afford to pay.

Though the union and more recently the school district have discussed their differences openly, both Twidwell and Denman declined to discuss specifically where progress had been made, and on what issues the two sides still must agree.

"I hope on Sunday we will have a little more information to give you," Twidwell told reporters around 9:15 p.m.

Tuesday's turn of events were a relief for union and district officials, who, just last Friday, thought the district may have its first strike since 1977. The association, which represents about 400 certified staff and 200 noncertified staff, filed an intent-to-strike notice on Aug. 25, and union officials said members were preparing for a walkout on Monday if Tuesday's talks were not successful.

Twidwell said union officials will update members on negotiations at a meeting today, and members will still vote on whether or not to strike.

Denman also said board members still will discuss strike-related issues at a closed session at their meeting today, just in case. On Labor Day, district officials said they would cancel classes on Monday if union members walked out.