IF school board sets teacher contracts after talks fail

More than a dozen school districts across the state are imposing contract terms on teachers this week after failed negotiations with local unions. The deadline is part of bargaining changes under the Students Come First laws.

Idaho Falls District 91 was among those that couldn’t agree.

Before Students Come First, negotiations could go on and on until a deal was reached.

This is the second year of the new rules, meaning the deal must be struck before a June 10 deadline or the board approves the latest, best offer. Last year was successful in Idaho Falls.

Mitzi Ellingson was carefree playing with her daughters on summer break, but turn the topic to education, and she was quickly concerned.

“I am absolutely surprised we were unable to come to an agreement,” said Ellingson.

As president of the Idaho Falls Education Association, Ellingson witnessed two full days of negotiations between the union and School District 91 over contracts for the upcoming school year.

“I believe that they had enough probably in that liquid fund balance to go ahead and do the 2 percent increase in salary that our team was asking for,” said Ellingson.

While district leaders said there is money in the bank, it has already been dipped into to offset past budget cuts. Human Resources and Finance Director Carrie Smith said they don’t know what the future holds.

“It would be nice to be able to provide higher compensation, but it just is not possible at this time,” said Smith.

The latest board-approved offer included a $1,500 medical stipend, the possibility of an additional one-time payment, and “steps and lanes.”

“In other words, people would move on the salary schedule for experience and if they added additional education,” said Smith.

Another change is that only compensation and benefits can be discussed in negotiations. In the past, Ellingson said, contracts would include things like a “30-minute, duty-free” lunch for teachers. Without those specifics, she said, there’s no manual for expectations.

State Superintendent Tom Luna, who introduced the Students Come First plan in 2011, told Boise media outlets it’s “good news” that only 21 districts out of 130 couldn’t reach agreements.

In November, Idaho voters will decide whether to keep the controversial plan or repeal it through a referendum.