BUHLER, Kan. — The Buhler USD 313 School Board approved the new collective bargaining agreement with the teachers union during Monday’s regular meeting.

The action comes after the contract was approved by the teachers. The new contract calls for a total wage and benefit increase of 5.36% and a base pay increase of $1,271. That means new teachers will see a starting base salary of $37,540.

The board also approved a 5% increase in pay and benefits to administrative and classified staff.

Also Monday night, the board heard a report from Buhler High School regarding the random drug testing program. The program, which just finished its first year, saw 144 random tests performed with only one non-negative result. Superintendent Mike Berblinger says only students who participate in extracurricular activities were tested and some were tested more than once under the lottery system.

Berblinger says they will take time to evaluate the testing program to see if any changes are needed. The board will get the testing report from Prairie Hills Middle School during next month’s meeting.