HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The USD 308 School Board approved the negotiated master contract with the district’s teachers.

The agreement is the result of negotiation sessions between the district and NEA-Hutchinson over the spring and summer. Teachers approved the agreement earlier this month.

Among the components of the agreement:

It allows teachers who qualify to move both vertically on the salary scale and horizontally . Starting salary for a new teacher remains $36,251.

For the 2016-17 school year only, reduces the contract for licensed non-administrative staff from 186 to 185 days.

Increases the pay for curriculum work outside the school day and some non-teaching work outside the school day.

After the board approved the agreement, they approved a modified school calendar for the year. The only change for the new calendar is that teachers and other staff covered by the agreement will not work on April 17. Students already were not scheduled to attend school that day so that staff could score state assessments. Changes in the state assessment ended the need for the specific day for scoring.

The board approved administrator salaries, approved classified salaries and classified handbook for 2016-17.