(KNZA)---The Hiawatha Board of Education has ratified a negotiated agreement with teachers for the 2016-17 school year.

The action came following an executive session at the Board’s meeting Monday evening.

Under the agreement, Superintendent Penny Hargrove says teachers will receive an average salary increase of 3.9 percent. The base salary for a beginning teacher will increase $800 to $33,560.

Also under the agreement, Hargrove says for the next 7 years teachers eligible to retire can get the post retirement health insurance benefit for a maximum of 10 years.

Teachers approved the agreement November 29th.

Hargrove says the Board also approved pay raises for administrators and classified staff.

Administrators will receive an average increase of 2.48 percent.

Classified staff will receive a 15 cent an hour increase, with the understanding that a full review of classified wages will be conducted to determine whether hourly employees are fairly compensated.