Understanding the negotiations between IFEA and D-91

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — As the school year comes to an end and students begin summer break, negotiations between Idaho Falls School District 91 and the Idaho Falls Education Association are continuing.

Contract negotiations are a routine part of school district operations, with teachers unions and district leaders working to reach agreements on issues including salaries and working conditions.

Representatives from the IFEA and District 91 are scheduled to meet again Thursday, June 4, after the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on teacher salaries. A third-party mediator will participate in the negotiations to help both parties explore potential solutions and provide an outside perspective.

"The way the system is intended is that there is money that comes in that's earmarked for teacher salary, and then there is also discretionary funds, and there's also local funds like our levies," Jake Snarr, a District 91 teacher and member of the IFEA negotiating team, said. "The system is designed to create competition amongst the school districts. And so that's where the teachers association comes in. We try to find what's going to work best in our district, and hopefully that becomes attractive for prospective teachers looking for a job."

Union leaders say both sides are working toward what they believe is best for students.

Local News 8 reached out to District 91 for comment. District officials declined to comment.

Local News 8 will continue to follow the negotiations and provide updates as they become available.