photo by: Journal-World

The Lawrence school board will meet on Monday at the school district offices, 110 McDonald Dr.

The Lawrence school board and the district’s classified staff union have reached a tentative agreement for the 2024-2025 school year, which includes a 99-cent hourly wage increase.

The school district and PAL-CWA have tentatively agreed to a 99-cent increase to classified hourly wages, pending ratification by the bargaining unit and board of education. Horizontal movement – raises for additional years of education – for acknowledging continued service will also be extended to eligible staff. The majority of staff can expect increases ranging from 11 to 13 cents through horizontal movement, with variation based on their position in the salary schedule.

There will also be additional language updates, which include:

* New employees will be able to use sick leave beginning on day one of employment.

* Classified staff are now able to use personal business leave during inclement weather.

* Full-time employees will continue to have their full insurance premiums covered, with an increase of $139.51 per month, resulting in a total annual premium cost of $8,725.44 for medical, dental and vision.

* Updates to incorporate gender-neutral pronouns in the contract language.

PAL-CWA will be hosting a contract explanation meeting for all classified staff at 5:30 Thursday at their new office at Broken Arrow, 2704 Louisiana St., to provide additional information on the contract.