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Board OKs raises for teachers
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MONROE - Teachers in the Monroe school district will receive the modest wage increase limited by state law, along with a supplemental "step" increase if eligible, for a total 2.68 percent salary increase for the 2017-18 school year, the school board decided Monday.

The eight attending board members unanimously approved the wage agreement with the Monroe Education Association after about 10 minutes of meeting in closed session. The MEA plans to ratify the agreement this week or early next week, District Administrator Rick Waski said.

Base wage increases for teachers by law cannot exceed the Consumer Price Index, which is 1.26 percent this year - and what Monroe teachers will get, Waski said. That will raise the district's base salary by $665 from $37,500 to $38,165.

But those who are eligible to move a step in the salary schedule will receive an additional $750, a 1.42 percent increase, which is consistent with the compensation model adopted last year to keep costs more sustainable over the long term.

The agreement affects roughly 195 employees, including teachers and other professional staff, for a total cost increase of almost $277,000, according to Waski. The salary schedule overall cost about $10.6 million last year.

Mary Berger, vice president of the Monroe school board, was absent Monday.

- Susan Endres