As school districts and local teachers’ unions try to reach contract agreements by a July 1 deadline, the law appears to give management an upper hand. Districts probably can issue teacher contracts based on their last best offer, if local school boards and union negotiators fail to come to terms by July 1, according to Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s office. Wasden’s office was asked to wade into the thorny negotiations issue by Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna and his staff. In a pair of letters — including one issued just last week — Deputy Attorney General Andrew J. Snook spelled out the steps for imposing a last best offer/Kevin Richert, The EDge. More here.

Question: Will new trustees of the Coeur d'Alene School Board, who take office July 1, be able to cut a decent contract with teachers, given the limited dollars available?