By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 Board of Education approved a contract with it custodians’ union at its meeting Monday night.

The contract with the Service Employees International Union, which is also known as SEIU, includes a 4.6 pay percent increase and an increase in longevity bonuses.

“It was good news that the process of working with SEIU came up with an agreement, as far what was being offered on both sides,” Superintendent John Thissen said. “They are definitely in agreement.”

The district also made several changes to bring the SEIU contract in line with other staff on insurance and severance benefits.

The board voted in April to opt out of the Public Employer-Employee Relations Act, which means this is the last year it will bargain with SEIU.

See related story: Hays school board votes to discontinue negotiations with custodians union

Negotiations between the Hays NEA, the teachers’ union, and the district are ongoing.