Columbia Falls School District’s certified employees will receive a pay increase this year and for the 2015-16 school year.

A two-year contract for the Columbia Falls Teachers Union was approved at a Nov. 10 school board meeting.

For the 2014-15 year, all certified staff, including teachers, will see a 2 percent increase, bringing the base salary for incoming teachers to $31,857. In the second year of the contract, the increase will be 1.5 percent, raising the base salary to $32,335.

Teachers who have worked 17 consecutive years in the district also receive an annual career incentive stipend. This stipend, which recognizes experience and education, increased by .75 percent to 4.25 percent of the base salary.

This contract affects about 150 employees.

Negotiations with the district’s classified workers’ union are ongoing. Classified staff includes food service, transportation, paraeducators and custodial employees.

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