Teachers union in Lawrence district OKs new master agreement

Teachers and other licensed personnel in the Lawrence school district ratified a master agreement that includes pay raises of $1,250 for the coming year.

In balloting that ended Friday, members of the bargaining unit — teachers, counselors, librarians and others — voted 458-7 to accept the deal negotiated between the Lawrence Education Association and the district, through the Lawrence school board.

The agreement now goes to the board for its ratification Monday night. The board meets at 7 p.m. at district headquarters, 110 McDonald Drive.

“We did come to an agreement that, for the most part, everybody could agree on,” said Beth Maloun, union vice president and a special educator at Prairie Park School. “The teachers are pretty satisfied.”

The agreement also includes provisions regarding health insurance, working conditions and other matters for at least 880 licensed educators.