Though it may not look like much, teachers, paraprofessionals, food and nutrition workers, custodians and clerical employees negotiated successful contracts with Austin Public School officials this year.

The Austin Public School board ratified two-year contracts with each employee group Monday night. All groups earned a small wage increase in some way after a round of wage freezes in the last contract.

“You need to balance the district’s financial needs with rewarding your employees,” said Mary Burroughs, human resources director.

Austin teachers won’t get a wage increase this year, but they will have slight changes to their payment categories. Steps, or pay grades based on time in the district, were adjusted by eliminating the first step and adding a top-end step. Teachers will get a 1.5 percent wage increase next year, the first since they took a soft freeze in 2009.

Both district and Austin Education Association officials say negotiations went well for everyone involved.

“We’re both looking for similar aims in trying to provide the best education we can,” said Mark Raymond, AEA vice president and chief negotiator.

Clerical employees receive a 1.9 percent wage increase this year and a 1.4 percent increase next year after a soft freeze in 2009.

Food & Nutrition workers receive a $.25 raise this year and next, as well as receiving Thanksgiving Day as a paid holiday.

Paraprofessionals’ contracts had several changes, including the removal of steps from their wage schedule. Paras’ starting salary will be at $10.44 per hour for general classroom paras and $11.21 for special education paras. All paras will receive a $.40 wage increase from current wages this year and next. Paras will also get a paid holiday for Memorial Day.

Custodians receive a 1.9 percent wage increase this year and a 1.3 percent increase next year. In addition, custodians will receive $70 per day in buy-out provisions for stored sick leave when they retire. Custodians took a hard wage freeze in 2009, meaning wages didn’t increase regardless of steps and tenure.