The Plum School District and its teachers have approved a five-year "early bird" contract that will increase the career pay rate to $101,500 a year in 2013-14.

The board voted on Monday for the pact, effective Sept. 1, 2009.

The agreement calls for starting pay for a teacher with a bachelor's degree to go from $39,500 this school year to $47,500 in the final year.

The career rate, which is for teachers who have a master's degree and are in at least the 15th year of teaching, currently is $89,300. It will go to $92,100 next fall and reach $101,500 by fall 2013.

Average pay increases each year range from 1.68 percent in the first year to 4.5 percent in the fourth year, according to the district.

Overall, average teacher pay will increase from $68,032 this year to $80,820 in the final year of the contract.

The contract adds 15 minutes to the teaching day and increases health care contributions, currently $15 a month. The contributions will go to at least 6 percent of premiums or $45 a month for individuals or $80 a month for others in the first year, rising to 8 percent of premiums or $65 a month for individuals or $100 a month for others over the contract.

The teachers are scheduled for 188 days a year, including 180 instructional days, five in-service days and three clerical days. One of those in-service days previously was run by the union, but this contract gives that day to the district.

In a prepared statement, acting Superintendent Lillian Naccarati said, "This additional time permits teachers to work in their professional learning communities and engage in professional development activities."

Board member Jeff Russo, a member of the negotiating team, said, "In a time when we are faced with worldwide financial challenges, our teachers union stepped up and contributed more to this contract than any other that has been negotiated in this school district."

Another member of the negotiating team, board member Jeff Matthews, said, "The focus of this early bird contract is to promote student achievement."

Butch Santicola, spokesman for Pennsylvania State Education Association, said, "The board and the teachers have a pretty decent relationship. They're going to get these things resolved."