Vashon school district teachers will see a 2 percent increase in their pay in 2017.

The raise is part of a new, three-year supplemental contract agreement reached between the district and the local teachers’ union — Vashon Education Association (VEA). The agreement also includes a 3 percent pay increase in 2018 and a 4 percent increase in 2019.

The 2016-2017 Vashon Island School District (VISD) budget estimates that salaries and benefits are expected to account for 76 percent of the district’s general fund.

While teacher salaries are set by a bi-annual state salary schedule, teachers’ unions are allowed to bargain with local districts for supplemental local contracts that vary from district to district based on additional time, responsibility or incentive required at the district.

For example, the state mandates a 180-day work year, but Vashon teachers work 186 days. VEA President Martha Woodard also said that Vashon teachers are underpaid based on the test scores and results the district sees.

“If you take similarly sized districts, we’re fairly on-par,” she said. “We’re at an acceptable pay now.”

According to the state salary schedule, a new teacher without a master’s degree will earn $35,700 annually. However, with the most recent contract agreement between VEA and the district , that teacher