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 </figure>By ROD ZOOKHutch PostHUTCHINSON, Kan. — Negotiations continue between Hutchinson USD 308 and the local teachers union on a new contract for next year. Executive Director of Human Resources Rick Kraus says things are progressing nicely.“I’m certainly pleased with the progress both sides have made,” Kraus said. “There’s been great engagement by both teams. We’re working really hard on some language items.”&nbsp;Kraus says that both sides also talked about compensation during the meeting.“We had an initial proposal from the association on salary,” Kraus said. “We will take that to the board on Monday in executive session to visit with them on their thoughts about that proposal and hopefully have a counter proposal when we meet again.”Most of the compensation matters are related to movement on the wage scale although the HNEA is asking for a $750 increase in base pay as well as a stipend of $750 for all of the faculty’s work during the pandemic.&nbsp;The two sides meet again June 28. Kraus will not be a part of negotiations from here on out as he is set to retire June 15. Kraus says he has been in communication with his replacement Dr. Dawn Johnson on many matters regarding negotiations and other personnel issues as she prepares to take over July 1.<a href="https://hutchpost.com/download" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to download the HutchPost mobile app. <a href="https://hutchpost.com/posts/5e73b532afae0f4d5f5d90ea" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a>&nbsp;to sign up for the daily HutchPost email news update.&nbsp;&nbsp;

USD 308 and HNEA continue negotiations