Bismarck Public School teachers will receive a 4.62 percent cost of living increase in 2007-08.

The Bismarck School Board approved a two-year teacher contract at a special meeting Thursday. Members of the Bismarck Education Association ratified the agreement Wednesday.

Overall, the salary package for the district is a 5.75 percent increase, including the cost of living adjustment. The difference covers shifting some employees on the schedule for additional experience or additional educational attainment. The base salary for a beginning teacher increases to $31,000.

"This settlement is right in the middle of settlements in North Dakota," Superintendent Paul Johnson said.

The second-year salary schedule is not yet complete. It will include an overall increase of 5.75 percent, of which 4 percent to 4.5 percent will be a cost of living increase.

In addition to the salary increase, the district is covering half the health insurance increase of a family health insurance plan. The district covers the premium for the employee. The additional cost to the employee for a family plan will be $52.50 a month. The total cost of a family plan will be $825 per month with the teacher contributing $279.37 per month.

The co-curricular salary schedule increased 4 percent each year of the agreement. Co-curricular activities include activities like athletics, school-sponsored clubs and newspaper and yearbook advisers.

The current teachers agreement costs the district about $47,700,000. The district will spend about $3,210,000 more under the newly approved agreement.

"I'm really pleased with the work you've done," board member Parrell Grossman said to the board's negotiating team. Those members were human resource member Lisa Kudelka, business manager Ed Gerhardt, assistant superintendent John Salwei and former assistant superintendent Rick Buresh.

(Reach reporter Sara Kincaid at 250-8251 or sara.kincaid@;bismarcktribune.com.)