HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The USD 308 School Board approved the 2019-20 contract with district teachers. Teachers approved the contract Oct. 18.

The agreement calls for a base salary for new teachers with a bachelor’s degree of $39,807 — a 3.2% increase from 2018-19.

Because money was placed on the base pay, all teachers on the salary schedule received an increase.

The contract also allowed teachers to move for another year of experience and additional education. It has language that includes a minimum 20-minute lunch period for teachers.

The board also approved the Career and Technical Education Agreement with Hutchinson Community College. The longstanding agreement is for the merged programs between HutchCC and the Hutchinson Career and Technical Education Academy. The agreement allows USD 308 students (and those from neighboring districts) to gain college credit for classes operated under the agreement.

College tuition is paid by the Kansas Board of Regents. HutchCC compensates USD 308 for providing the instructors and facilities for the specified programming.