Salt Lake School District teachers and employees likely will get a 3 percent pay raise.

The Salt Lake Board of Education approved negotiated agreements Tuesday night with its largest employee group, the district's 1,200 teachers, and other worker groups, including administrators, building and grounds workers, food-service employees, office personnel and transportation workers.The agreements, however, won't be finalized until they are ratified by the memberships of the employee associations.

The 1992 Legislature appropriated a 3.2 percent increase for employee compensation. The Salt Lake teacher agreement constitutes an overall 5.08 percent increase in money paid for salary increases, promotions and benefits, Business Administrator W. Gary Harmer said.

To secure a 3 percent pay increase, the district and teachers negotiated a decrease in health-insurance benefits, he said. Teachers who want to keep their current health plan must pay a $40-per-month increase; their family plan currently costs $20 per month. An alternative health plan will be available to teachers at no additional cost, Harmer said.

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The board also set the salaries of its top administrators, including Superintendent John W. Bennion.

Bennion, who has been the highest paid local superintendent in the state, will earn $86,275, the same as his 1991-92 salary. In his compensation package, he also receives a $5,747 transportation and expense allowance and a $10,321 annuity.

Other salaries set by the board are: Harmer, $65,664; Deputy Superintendent Mary Jean Johnson, $63,647; Assistant Superintendent Harold J. Trussell, $59,000; and Personnel Director J. Dale Manning, $58,183.

Their compensation packages also will include transportation and expense allowances and annuities, although they are smaller than Bennion's.

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