(KNZA)--The Hiawatha Teachers Association voted Thursday to accept the latest contract offer for the current school year.

It calls for a 7.21 percent increase in the base salary from $37,310 to $40,000 plus movement on the salary schedule.  Incorporated in the salary schedule are $510 " steps" for years of service and $800 " steps" for level of education.

The agreement will now go the Hiawatha School Board for ratification at their November 11 meeting.

Once approved, the agreement is retroactive to August 1.

A mediator met with both sides October 7 after an impasse was declared in contract negotiations, and the teacher's negotiating team decided to take the same offer made in August back for another vote.