Lawrence’s 850 teachers will vote this week on a new contract with the school district that gives them an average 8 percent pay raise.

Teachers will receive information about the contract in daily e-mails this week and will have an informational meeting at 6 p.m. today at Lawrence High School’s auditorium that’s sponsored by the Lawrence Education Assn.

Certified teaching staff will be able to vote on the contract at tonight’s meeting.

For those who can’t attend, information sheets and ballots will be available Thursday and Friday from LEA building representatives.

Under the contract, the beginning salary for new teachers will go from $29,550 to $32,475 on the new 15-level salary schedule.

Career teachers with a master’s degree can earn up to $48,000, depending on years of service, and those with a doctorate can earn up to $56,925, according to Kelly Barker, LEA’s chief negotiator.

If the contract is approved by teachers and the school board, it’s expected to take effect in time for the district’s Oct. 20 payroll.