Albert Lea Area Schools officials have entered into a tentative agreement with the Albert Lea Education Association on a new teacher union contract.

The Albert Lea School Board discussed the tentative agreement Monday night during a closed session following its study session.

There will be a motion to approve the contract at the March 21 school board meeting. Superintendent Mike Funk said he and union officials plan on releasing a joint statement on the details later this week.

The agreement affects 278 teachers.

School board member Julie Johnson said she was pleased with the tentative agreement.

“I think that it’s going to be a great outcome for the district and the teachers in the district, and so I’m happy for all involved,” Johnson said. “They all workedreally hard to reach this tentative agreement.”

The agreement was reached after approximately 10 bargaining sessions. Negotiations began in September. The district and the union entered state mediation last week.

Teachers have worn red to support their stance during the negotiation process.

Funk said the bargaining session took longer this year than it has historically.

Three separate union contracts were approved in February, each retroactive to July 1, 2015:

Seven district practical nurses represented by the Albert Lea Area Schools Licensed Practical Nurse Association received a 3 percent raise for the 2015-16 school year; under the contract, the nurses will receive a 2.75 percent raise for the 2016-17 school year.

Ninety-six district paraeducators represented by the Albert Lea Paraeducator Association received a 3.75 percent raise for the 2015-16 school year; under the contract they will receive a 3.5 percent raise for the 2016-17 school year.

Twenty district food service workers represented by the Albert Lea District 241 School Food Service Workers Association received a 3 percent raise for the 2015-16 school year; under the contract they will receive a 3 percent raise for the 2016-17 school year.

The district has not entered negotiations with district office administrative assistants and district coordinators.