Yukon teachers have signed a new collective bargaining agreement, securing a 5.75 per cent pay raise over three years and smaller class sizes.

Effective July 1, 2012, the starting annual salary for a Yukon teacher is $62,434, compared to $61,210 as of July 1, 2011.

Under the new agreement, salaries cap at $99,802 as of July 1, 2012, up from $97,845.

By July 1, 2014, starting salaries will rise to $64,798, capping at $103,580.

Maximum class sizes for elementary schools have been reduced.

Kindergarten class sizes have been reduced from 20 students to 18.

For Grades 1 to 3, classes will be limited to 22 students from 23, while 25 students are the new maximum for Grades 4 to 7, down from 26.

Education Minister Scott Kent said this morning he is pleased to have the new agreement in place.

"It does contain several measures that are aimed at supporting our educators and even more importantly, improving student achievement in Yukon schools,” he told the Star.

Kent noted the agreement allows the legislature to make changes to the length of the school year.

"Currently, we have 950 total hours of instruction and professional development, 935 hours of instructional time,” he said.

"We're looking to make some changes to increase that, to add an additional 15 hours of instructional time and 15 hours of professional development time.”

Teachers' pay will be increased accordingly on a prorated basis.

Parental leave for adoptive parents was also increased in the new agreement and is now equal to the leave granted to birth parents.

Other highlights of the new contract include salary boosts for some educational assistants, a one-time increase of $48,000 to the Professional Development Fund, and a travel bonus for employees in Old Crow.

That will enable them to claim one round trip air fare from the community to Whitehorse for themselves, a spouse and a child.

During question period Tuesday, NDP Education critic Jim Tredger raised concerns that supports are not adequate for students who have Fetal Alcohol Spetrum Disorder.

Kent noted that since taking office last year, his government has converted 22 term positions to permanent positions for what he called "para-professionals”, including education assistants, tutors and learning assistants.

This year, 15 additional term positions were added.

"We're responding to the needs that are arising in the schools by committing additional resources at that level,” he said.

Two committees have been formed through letters of understanding included in the agreement.

The first, a classroom diversity committee, will review and assess extra support provided for students in the classroom and present a report to the minister of Education.

The second committee will work on issues regarding staff housing.

The government has also agreed to address concerns about health, safety, and function of heat, plumbing and appliances in staff housing.

According to the Yukon Teachers' Association website, member voter turnout was 78 per cent and the agreement was approved with a "solid majority.”

YTA president Katherine Mackwood could not be reach for comment this morning.

The government's annual cost for teachers' salaries under the new deal was not immediately available.