Madison school district officials have reached a tentative teaching contract agreement with the teachers union.

Superintendent Art Rainwater announced the two-year contract settlement Tuesday, after the Board of Education approved it Monday night.

It will increase the starting salary of Madison school district teachers by $1,400; that's less than a one percent increase.

The contract also increases teachers' health benefits. Rainwater says the contract serves the interest of both the taxpayers and teachers.

"I believe that we were able to reach a settlement that is fair to both our tax payers and as much as it can be to our employees," Rainwater says.

The union membership is set to vote on the contract this Thursday. If approved, the contract will take effect July 1.