Good news on the budget front and a negotiated agreement with the Hutchinson National Education Association will result in a special meeting of the Hutchinson School Board next Wednesday at 5:30 p-m., at the Administration Center.

The district learned it will receive an additional $17,962 in special education money from the state of Kansas. To access that money, however, the board has to republish a larger budget amount than it had previously. Meeting on May 30 gives the district the statutorily required 10- days between a possible republishing of the budget and the June 11 regular school board meeting, and if the board votes May 30 to move forward with republishing, there would be a public hearing on the republished budget at the June 11 meeting.

Additionally, the board will consider adoption of the negotiated agreement between the district and the HNEA. Hutchinson NEA members approved the proposal for 2012-13 school year and an addendum to the 2011-12 agreement Friday afternoon. The association does not release vote totals.

Negotiators from the district and HNEA met three times this spring. Key elements to the 2012-13 negotiated agreement are a 3.9 percent total compensation increase and language governing the early release days for K-6 buildings.

This is the first general compensation increase for district staff in three years.

The addendum to the 2011-12 agreement will pay licensed staff members a $1,000 stipend for the current contract year. The stipend resulted from the district having additional salary dollars available because of increased student enrollment for the current school year.

Also on the agenda will be routine consent agenda items, including stipends for classified staff and administrators. Classified staffers who were on duty April 1 and are still employed will receive $500 while administrators will receive $1,000.

The board also voted to increase compensation for classified staff and administrators.