WAUSAU, Wis (WSAU) The Wausau Board of Education and its teachers union met for the first time since the union called for the removal of superintendent Steve Murley last month. The meeting took place yesterday afternoon and was closed to the public.

It's not clear if Superintendent Murley attended the meeting. His presence was one of the sticking points that delayed earlier meetings.

The school board president and the teachers union leader released a joint statement after, saying both sides are working towards a better relationship. Both sides will work together on a long-term educational plan for the district.

Next year's school budget assumes that 40 teachers will retire, and that remaining teachers will teach a sixth period instead of the current five. Both sides have been locked in a bitter contract dispute that may go to mediation later this month.