Employees within the Denair Unified School District will be taking home more money starting soon as the Board of Trustees voted at their latest meeting on Thursday night to give teachers an 8% salary increase and a one-time 4.5% COVID-19 bonus.

“This is a pretty significant percentage,” said trustee Ray Prock Jr. “It’s nice to be able to give that.”

With trustee Crystal Sousa absent, the Board voted unanimously to approve the new three-year contract with the Denair Unified Teachers Association, which represents 81 instructors. Per the new contract, teachers, hourly workers as well as confidential, management and administrative employees will have their salaries raised by 8% starting next school year. Meanwhile, the one-time COVID bonus will be paid by the end of this month.

“We’re very excited to do this,” said Board President Carmen Wilson.

In addition to the pay increases and bonuses, the Board extended the contract of superintendent Terry Metzger. The contract extension is for two years and will run through June 30, 2027. Her salary next year will be $191,367.

While many will reap the benefits of new contracts, there are 101 other employees in Denair Unified who do not qualify. These employees are represented by the California School Employees Association. The organization has not yet reached agreement on a new contract with Denair Unified.