JEFFERSON TWP — Teacher contract strife is over in the South Butler School District until 2014.

In voting Tuesday, both the school board and teachers approved an six-year pact that is retroactive to July 1, 2008, and provides an average of a 3.99 percent overall pay increase.

Teachers and the board began negotiations in January 2008, and when they were unproductive, the teachers staged two strikes.

"The entire school district is pleased," said Rhonda Jacoby, representative for the South Butler County Education Association.

Teachers will receive graduated salary increases in each year of the contract. The retroactive year includes an increase of 3.35 percent, and the current school year includes a 3.55 percent increase. The contract calls for a 4.15 percent increase in 2010-11 and a 4.3 percent increase in each of the three remaining years.

The average teacher salary in the district is $51,249. Under this contract, a teacher making the average salary would see retroactive pay for 2008-09 of $1,716. The same teacher would make $54,846 in the current year, $57,122 in 2010-11, $59,578 in 2011-12, $62,140 in 2012-13 and $64,812 in the final year.

Retroactive payments will be made by June 30.

What teachers will pay for their health care also increases. During the next four years of the contract, teachers will make deductible payments of $250 for an individual and $500 for a family for in-network care. To contribute toward premiums, individuals will pay $40 per month and families will pay $50 per month. That's up from $10 for an individual and $20 for a family now.

Teachers who retire early will see a reduced length of health care coverage. Currently, teachers are eligible for up to 14 years of coverage for the retiree and spouse after they stop working. The new contract cuts that to 12 years of coverage for a retiree or eight years for the retiree and spouse.