ORWELL — After several months of negotiations, Grand Valley School Board has ratified a new three-year contract with the district’s classified employees.

The board acted on the contract Monday night with wage increases granted to employees. Under terms of the new contract with the Grand Valley School Support Personnel, employees will get a 3.25 percent pay increase the first year, said Superintendent William Nye.

“The second year the GVSSP will receive 2.25 percent pay increase and the third year allows for a reopener on any increase,” Nye said.

The pay increases will cost the district an additional $50,000 the first year for the 49 classified personnel. Nye gave an update on the district report card showing GV elementary and high schools School were given an “excellent rating” after meeting all the state’s education criteria with the middle school ranked “effective.”

The board approved a number of personnel items on its agenda. Kristofer Doran was hired under a one-year limited contract as part-time assistant football coach. Jamie Poyer also received a one-year limited contract as 7th and 8th grade track coach.

Alissa Brenizer was hired as a paraprofessional to work with special education students. Nye said the board agreed to reassign Marla Mullenax, the district’s student service’s coordinator, to the administrative staff. She also received a 3.25 percent pay increase effective July 1 and is now in a non-union position.

Three percent salary increases were approved for the following district principals, Ellen Winer, elementary school; Lowell Moodt, middle school; and Stephen Sisko, high school. The increases are effective Aug. 1. A 3.25 percent increase was for the following supervisory/classified administrative personnel: Arleen Kovats, superintendent’s administrative secretary; Kathy Hornung, assistant treasurer; and Veronica Summerhill, food service supervisor.

Under financial matters, the board agreed to put $2.09 million of the interest earned from the school construction bonds invested into the district’s permanent improvement fund. Nye said the board can use these funds for such projects as purchasing new school buses, improving grounds and buildings, parking lot paving or repairs.

He emphasized the PI fund cannot be used for salaries and some other operation costs. Beginning in September the board will switch its meeting location to the large family conference room in the elementary wing.