Henniker voters at Monday’s deliberative session will consider a new contract for teachers that would bolster pay and hopefully slow down staff turnover.

The proposed agreement with the teachers union would give a 8.76% hike for the 27 teachers “on the grid,” meaning they have not reached maximum seniority or education level, and a 4.5% raise for the other 16 in the first year. The second year of the contract would provide a 4.5% pay increase for all teachers. The raises are intended to stablize staffing, officials say, after six teachers left last year for better pay in neighboring school districts.

If passed, the contract would cost an estimated $321,000 more in costs the first year and $159,000 more the second year.

Residents will also review a proposed $10.07 million operating budget for the town’s school system, an increase of 2.9% over the current budget,

If the budget passes, the school tax rate would increase from $8.45 per $100,000 of assessed valuation to $9.31, raising the annual tax bill on a $350,000 house by $400.

Major factors affecting the budget include increases in health and dental insurance of $151,000 and a $48,000 increase in costs for the total SAU, although that is partly offset by a change in shared positions.

Costs for teachers are declining by $105,000, partly because one classroom teaching position is being cut.

Henniker’spre-K to grade 8 school system has almost 400 students, a number that has been relatively stable for a decade.

Also on the warrant will be a proposed new contract for support staff.

The proposed contract with the support staff union would increase the salary range from between $15-$20 an hour to between $16 and $25, giving an average pay hike of $2,900. It would cost an estimated $136,000 more.

The budget also includes an extra $19,000 for employees who are not part of a collective bargaining unit.

A more complete explanation is available in a video taken from the budget hearing, hosted on YouTube.

The deliberative session begins at 7 p.m. Monday in the Henniker Community School cafe, 51 Western Ave.

Warrant articles will be discussed and can be amended at the deliberative session. They will be voted on by ballot on election day, March 12.