Supt. Randy Weseman says all Lawrence school district employees can expect the school board Monday to approve a 3.5 percent increase in compensation next school year.

“We’ll recommend to the board that they buy into their end of it, contingent on the outcome of the teachers’ ratification,” he said.

Lawrence Education Assn., which represents the district’s certified employees, is expected to complete a membership mail-in vote on the negotiated settlement by the end of the month.

On Monday, the board will be asked to approve a contract for nearly 900 teachers, librarians and counselors that increases salaries by 2.3 percent and fringe benefits by 1.2 percent. The contract will cost the district $1.2 million.

Under the new pact, the district will add $125 to the base salary to make it $23,125. Most new teachers will start at $26,825, with the top salary moving to $50,598.

Meanwhile, the board is expected to stick with tradition by offering classified workers and administrative staff the same deal of 3.5 percent.

“I don’t expect there to be a problem,” Weseman said. “We’re happy to take that particular agreement to the board.”

In 2002, the board adopted a 5 percent increase in salary and benefits for all employees. That followed increases of 4.7 percent in 2001 and 3.3 percent in 2000.