By David Madden

Philadelphia (CBS) – No ruling from a Philadelphia federal judge on a lawsuit filed by the Chester Upland School District that seeks to force Pennsylvania education officials to advance them subsidy payments so they can make payroll next week.

Judge Michael Baylson held a conference call with attorneys for both sides. They’ve been trying to come to some accord on the funding situation, which came to a head last month when the district asked for $18.7 million and the state said no, citing ongoing disagreements with the school board over spending and operations.

“The district and the department will continue to have discussions related to the financial issue at hand and we’ll work toward a resolution to ensure that schools are uninterrupted,” says Tim Eller, a spokesman for the Department of Education.

Some 500 Chester Upland employees face a payless payday next week without an agreement, although workers have by and large promised to remain on the job.