The Eudora National Education Association and district representatives reached tentative agreement Wednesday on the teachers’ contract for the 2009-2010 school year.

The ENEA had hoped for a $500 raise to the base salary of $34,400 — in part, because health insurance is expected to increase by as much as 32 percent.

Anticipating further cuts to the amount of state aid per pupil, the board previously proposed a salary freeze but softened that stance Wednesday to allow merit- and experience-based raises.

Robert Sailler, ENEA co-president who teaches English at Eudora Middle School, said the contract was a reflection of cuts made by the Kansas Legislature last spring.

The union and district had informal meetings in recent months to hash out various topics. However, they delayed formal negotiations until they had a clearer picture of the state’s finances.

The agreement will be official when the board and teachers vote to approve it.