CEDAR FALLS - Three bargaining groups for employees of Area Education Agency 267 have reached at least verbal agreements on contracts, according to AEA 267 spokeswoman Beth Strike.

Approval was given by the AEA 267 board of directors Wednesday in Cedar Falls. Contract lengths vary.

A group of 456 employeees, represented by the Communications Workers of America, will receive a 4.11 percent total package increase, of which 2.27 percent is salary. The total increase cost is $376,319.68.

The CWA represents educational assistants, media reservation clerks and general clerical staff. The CWA has yet to ratify the package, but is expected to do so soon, Strike said.

Two other bargaining group agreements have been ratified. The nonunion support staff (NUSS) of 64 employees, a group that includes technology programmers, administrative secretaries and interns, will receive a 3.93 percent total package, of which 2 percent is salary. Total cost is $145,814.99.

The administrative staff of 27 employees will receive a 3.52 percent total package increase. Less than 1 percent of the package is salary. Total cost to the AEA will be $130,931.13.

Strike noted that the lion's share of funding went to health insurance increases, which hiked over 14 percent this year.

Not yet reached is a pact with the AEA's largest bargaining group, the Education Association.

The 579-member group includes teachers, media specialists, therapists, psychologists, social workers and others with titles such as consultant, coordinator or specialist.

The agency serves students and teachers in 60 public school districts and 24 nonpublic school systems with special education, technology and staff development needs.