CLAY COUNTY, Fla. -- The Clay County School District announced on Thursday it has struck a deal with teachers.

The district and the teacher's union agreed in principle on a contract for the coming school years. The contract includes salaries and benefits for all teachers in the District.

It includes a starting salary of $37,800 for new teachers. That beginning salary is almost a $3,000 increase over what it was last year.

In comparison to other counties in Northeast Florida, Clay County now has the highest starting pay for teachers. Duval County came in second with $37,000. Nassau County starts it teachers off at $36,500. Teachers in Baker County start at nearly $34,000.

In addition to an increase in the starting salary for Clay County teachers, the average increase in salaries across the board will be about 3 percent.

“We are in an economic downturn, but the quality of the classroom teacher is the most important element in raising student achievement. Therefore, it is important we help our teachers cope in these difficult financial times,” said Superintendent David L. Owens. “Yes. We have had to cut in other areas in order to give this 3 percent raise, but we value our teachers and it is very important that we retain, as well as recruit qualified, talented teachers.”