D.C. Everest teachers will get raises of $750 this school year. That’s their first salary increase since a pay freeze enacted back in June of 2011. That pay freeze was part of an overall budget plan that kept the districts entire spending at the same level for the last 2 years.

But now, district administrators have cut spending in other areas to free up some money that can be used for staff pay increases. Teacher Union representatives worked with the district to come up with a plan to provide the wage increases, while not increasing the burden on tax payers.

They hope to retain teachers already on the payroll, and attract those who may be looking to be put on the payroll.

Kim Hall, director of Human Resources for the D.C. Everest School District said, “When raises were implemented, they were on a percentage basis and not on a flat dollar amount which now helps out our lower paid teachers.”

The pay increases are budgeted for this school year only. District Administrators say they still have to work out the details for future years, but they do plan to budget again for the salaries so that they can attract the best staff available.

Now, one of the key talking points is that the pay increases will not ask tax payers to pay an extra penny.