TOLONO — Unit 7 teachers and support staff will be working this fall with a new three-year contract in place.

Members of the Unity Education Association approved the three-year pact on May 26, and last week the Unit 7 school board approved the proposal unanimously.

The two sides met during three sessions that Superintendent Andrew Larson described as "lengthy" but "functional."

"Everybody was pretty much on the same page," Larson said.

The current four-year contract expires June 30.

"I believe that both sides prepared very well prior to our first meeting," Unity Education Association President Deany Cheatum said, "which allowed for similar issues to be handled simply and the more particular issues to be dealt with in earnest discussions to find a common ground."

The Unity Education Association represents about 200 employees.

According to Larson, the agreement calls for salary increases of about 3.58 percent each year. The annual starting salary for a teacher with no experience and a bachelor's degree will increase to $29,399 next year, to $30,451 in the second year and to $31,541 in the third year.

Larson said the contract would cost the district an average of about $162,000 per year.

Retirement system costs are included.