News editor
Marion teachers got an $800 increase in their salaries last week when the school board ratified the new negotiated agreement for teachers. The change raises the base salary for a brand new teacher to $34,000 a year.
It is about a 2.3 percent raise for new teachers, while for teachers at the top end of the salary schedule, it is about 1.5 percent. Teachers may also qualify for raises based on years of experience or continuing education.
With the equivalent of 42 full-time teachers, the raise will cost the district $33,600.
The school board voted on the agreement at a special meeting May 21 after meeting in closed session for 15 minutes.
The new agreement also decreases and clarifies the supplemental salaries for the fall musical and spring play. Both productions previously apportioned about $4,800 for pay, not including orchestra members for the musical. Now the musical has a budget of $4,040 for pay, ranging from $150 for set design and makeup to $1,700 for directing. The spring play is now budgeted $2,438 for pay.