A tentative agreement has been reached regarding teachers’ salaries, giving faculty more than a 20 percent raise during the next three years.

Union officials and district Chancellor Dr. Walter Packard announced the agreement this week in a joint e-mail.

Packard could not be reached for comment because he was out of town, according to Kellie Van Westen, his administrative assistant.

“Things are changing for the better,” said Steve Eso, faculty union president.

Under the agreement, a 5.33 percent increase will happen July 1, followed by a 7.33 percent increase July 1, 2003, and 8.34 percent July 1, 2004.

An adjustment will be made in spring 2005 that ensures the salary schedule is equal to the average pay of comparable colleges. The agreement contributes to the district’s 50 percent law compliance.

But the quick settlement is in contrast to previous contracts.

The last agreement between district and faculty was reached in October 2000 after teachers worked more than two years without a contract.

During that time, teachers demonstrated, wore T-shirts and spoke out at board of trustees meetings.

At one point during the negotiations, teachers were talking strike and refusing to add students to full classes.

Janet Fulks, chief negotiator for the union, said that this week’s agreement is “evidence that we’ve turned the corner.”

She said both sides tried to reach an agreement that benefits the district as a whole. There has been good dialogue and listening on both sides, she said.

“We’re using a different kind of bargaining,” she said.