Union, school district reach contract agreement

A two-year contract was recently reached between the Kalispell Education Association and Kalispell Public Schools.

The contract begins July 1 and provides a 0.6 percent increase to base salaries for the 2017-18 school year. Since first-year teachers in the district begin with salaries above the base, the increase translates to a starting salary of $33,788 for the 2017-18 school year.

In the 2018-19 school year, there will be a 1.9 percent increase.

Teachers with applicable experience and education additionally receive automatic salary increases.

About 422 certified staff, mainly teachers, represented by the union will be impacted by the increases.

The district also will contribute $650 toward health insurance for participating employees through the duration of the contract.

Kalispell Education Association Vice President Anthony Lapke said contract language revisions were primarily made to reflect best practices.

Negotiations began in February.

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.