Teachers in the Jim Thorpe Area School District will receive a 2.8 percent raise in the 2020-21 school year under a new contract.

School board officials and teachers approved a one-year contract earlier this week.

“I’m thrilled that this came together for district, that we achieved mutual understanding on ’21-22 school year, and I think we’ll get back at it after Jan. 1, when negotiations officially begin,” Superintendent John Rushefski said.

The contract, which takes effect immediately, affects the district’s 160 faculty members. Their previous contract expired June 30.

Under the contract, teachers receive a 2.8 percent pay raise. The funding for tuition reimbursement will be $45,000, down from $90,000 the previous year.

The union, the Jim Thorpe Education Association, said they were happy the outcome of negotiations and are open to having informal discussions with the district before the end of the year.

“JTEA is pleased that both sides were able to work together to get this contract completed,” said Elena Monaco, president of the Jim Thorpe Education Association.