Teachers in one Suffolk school district have been working without a new contract for more than 200 days.

Now, the Middle Country School District says it's bringing in a neutral third party to help both sides try to reach an agreement.

"A mediator comes in, looks at our district’s financial health, our settled contracts and contracts of neighboring districts. The mediator studies both proposals and then with an objective voice works at helping both groups come to a fair agreement," the district says.

The sticking points for the teachers are pay and retirement costs.

Teachers and teaching assistants have been without a new contract for 227 days.

The district tells News 12 they are still receiving their previous benefits.