HUNTLEY – Contract negotiations between District 158 and its teachers union are progressing positively and the two sides likely won't need mediation, the district board president said.

District 300 and its teacher union recently requested a third-party mediator to resolve negotiation differences with class sizes and other issues. But District 158 board President Michael Skala said he is confident that a new labor agreement in his district will be approved before students go back to school Aug. 22.

"It's not like there's a lot of things that need to be discussed. The scope of the contract is pretty limited," Skala said. "Both sides are working very hard, and they are working to negotiate the best deal for the staff and taxpayers."