Mat-Su teachers approve contract

WASILLA (AP) -- Matanuska-Susitna Borough teachers on Thursday approved a one-year contract with the school district.

Teachers voted overwhelmingly to accept the deal, said Mat-Su Education Association president Barbara Morris. The tally was 774-10 with a few votes left to count.

The contract gives teachers a $3,000 across-the-board raise and halves employees' health insurance contributions. The agreement adds about $3.4 million in teacher salary and benefit costs, according to district estimates.

Under the contract, teacher salaries would range from about $35,000 to $66,000 a year. That's the highest range of salaries among the state's five largest school districts -- Fairbanks, Juneau, Anchorage, Kenai and Mat-Su. Anchorage salaries, for example, range from about $33,000 to $63,000.

The school board will vote on the agreement next week.

Since the contract expires next June, negotiations will start soon on a new agreement. The district and teachers typically sign three-year contracts.

The district is still in talks with the union representing custodians, secretaries and tutors.