Earlier this month, the teachers and school board in the Penn-Trafford School District settled on a contract, giving the district's 254 teachers an average raise of $3,230 per year.

The new contract runs through June 30, 2014. The contract was approved by the board, 7-2, with Larry Harrison and John Willforth voting against.

Shaun Rinier, president of the Penn-Trafford Education Association, said both sides compromised in settling the contract.

"We wanted salaries that were competitive with our neighbors, and this will do it," he said.

Beginning with the 2009-10 school year, the starting salary for new teachers is $38,300. In the final year of the contract, that figure will be $42,300.

The top salary -- for teachers with doctorates ---- is $83,163 this year. By 2014, that figure will be $92,763.

Teachers have an additional 15 minutes in their work day.

Also included in the contract, employees will pay $80 each month, or 6 percent of the dollar amount of the premium, for family health care. The district offers six health care plans.

No tax increase is necessary for the district's 2009-10 budget.

"I don't think this is going to put a stress on the community," Mr. Rinier said.

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