Idaho’s controversial new school reform laws gutted teacher associations’ collective bargaining powers, but local union leaders say they can still work effectively with their district administration to help shape policies. “This (legislation) basically said to districts that if you don’t want to work with teachers in these areas, you can say by law you don’t have to do it anymore,” Boise Education Association President Andrew Rath said. “But I think they’ve found that districts want to work with the teachers.” Association leaders Sam Stone of Caldwell and Luke Franklin of Meridian agreed. “We can always talk to our district,” Franklin said. “Our relationship isn’t really ‘us against them’”/Kristin Rodine, Idaho Statesman. More here.

Question: Is the Idaho Education Association still much of a force in Idaho?