MONROE - Support staff for the Monroe school district will get a 1.46-percent raise to their base wages, the same as last year, starting July 1. The school board voted unanimously Monday to approve the agreement with the Monroe Association of Support Staff.

That's an increase of 25 cents per hour.

The raise could have been as high as 1.62 percent by state law, which ties the maximum allowed base wage increase to the consumer price index. Instead the district allowed for step movement - an increase in wages based on experience - for the first 10 years of experience on the salary schedule.

Steps increase wages for support staff by about 30 cents or more per hour for each year of experience.

Base wage and step increases combine for a total increase of 2.1 percent, at a cost of $66,078. The increase applies to the 145 members of MASS, including teacher aides, custodial staff, secretarial staff and other positions. Some of the positions are part-time.

MASS ratified the agreement before Monday's meeting.

"I appreciate that we were able to get it done in one night," school board member Brian Keith said. "That was really nice."

School board members Dan Bartholf and Scott Schmidt were absent.



- Susan Endres