Northern Lehigh School Board has approved the collective bargaining agreement between the school district and the Northern Lehigh Educational Support Personnel Association.

Sherri Molitoris, co-director of business affairs/human resources, said the Educational Support Staff agreement covers four years with an average increase of 3.43 percent.Molitoris said the agreement calls for changes in contract language for probationary period to specify 60 working days; recognition of service salary increment says that upon notice of retirement and they give the district 60 days notice before retirement date; and that all reprimands, no matter how long ago received, if warranted, the district can use them in progressive discipline.She said it also calls for an increase in the starting salary for both custodial and maintenance staff members to be 55 percent of the maximum job rate for each classification during years one through three of the contract, and 60 percent during the fourth year.Additionally, Molitoris said the starting salary for cafeteria employees is increased to $12 an hour; their uniform allowance has been increased to $125 per year during the third and fourth year; and all cafeteria workers will also receive one emergency leave of absence day per year.She said part-time cafeteria workers will receive an increase in their uniform allowance equal to what full-time employees receive, and two additional sick days.Also at that meeting, the board approved the new salary and benefit agreement between the district and the Northern Lehigh administrative assistants.Molitoris said the agreement is for five years with a 4.25 percent increase over the next five years.She said it also includes an increase in bereavement days for the death of a spouse from three to five days; and adjusted their vacation day schedules to receive 25 days vacation after 15 years of service, compared with the original agreement, which was after 20.Board members praised all parties involved for coming to terms on the new agreements.RetirementsThe board also accepted the retirement of Deborah Geiger as kindergarten teacher at Peters Elementary School, effective June 13, after 37 years with the district.Kathy Walter. reading teacher at the middle school, is retiring on June 30, after 16 years with the district.