Bigfork School District’s two unions and administrators will get a 2 percent pay increase next school year after the board of trustees approved salaries Wednesday.

The two unions include Bigfork Area Education Association for certified staffers such as teachers and Bigfork Unified Classified unions, which consist of classified staffers such as paraprofessionals, bus drivers and maintenance and food workers.

A district medical benefits contribution of $449.34 was included in contract agreements.

The 2 percent increase brings the base salary for the Bigfork Area Education Association to $28,071 for the 2013-14 school year and $28,632 for the 2014-15 school year.

However, District Clerk Eda Taylor noted that Bigfork, like many districts in the valley, starts first-year teachers at a higher pay scale. This means that most first-year teachers in Bigfork will receive $31,440 for the 2013-14 school year and $32,068 for 2014-15.

This contract affects 66 employees.

Bigfork United Classified Union will receive a 2 percent increase to hourly wages that vary by position.

This contract affects 30 employees.

Administrators, who are not part of a union, also received the same increase, but for the 2013-14 year only. The superintendent, elementary, middle school and high school principals’ salaries are negotiated annually.

In January, the board extended superintendent Cynthia Clary’s contract through 2016. The board decided to negotiate Clary’s salary each year after a contract is reached with Bigfork Area Education Association.

Other district and business personnel received a 2 percent salary increase for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 school years. These positions include district clerk, nurse, psychologist, speech therapist, payroll clerk and human resources, assistant business manager and heads of transportation, food service and maintenance.

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or by email at [email protected].