C. Falls school union contracts settled

Certified and classified employees working for Columbia Falls School District will see a slight pay increase now through the 2013-2014 school year.

The district recently completed negotiations with the classified workers’ union for a two-year contract pending board approval at the Oct. 29 board meeting. Classified staff includes food service, transportation, paraeducators and custodial employees.

The hourly rate of pay for classified employees increased by 20 cents. In addition, classified employees working five or more years in the district received an annual longevity increase of 9 cents.

In late September, the board unanimously approved a two-year contract with the Columbia Falls Teachers Union.

Without a raise for the last school year, all certified staff, which includes teachers, received a 1 percent salary increase for the current school year. This 1 percent increase ups the base salary for incoming teachers to $30,846.

For the 2013-14 school year, teachers will see a 1.25 percent salary increase setting the base salary at $31,232.

In addition, teachers who have worked with the district for 17 years or more receive an annual career incentive stipend. This stipend increased by 1 percent, to 3.5 percent of the base salary, or approximately from $750 to $1,000 annually.

The incentive stipend is used to recognize experience and education, according to negotiating committee member and board chair Jill Rocksund.

To be considered for tenure, teachers now will be evaluated over four years to align with state law. Previously, they were evaluated for three years before offered a tenure contract.

Both unions will see health insurance monthly premiums increased. The district plans to pay 25 percent of that increase.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.