Four weeks into the school year, Coeur d’Alene teachers are working without a new contract and will head into mediation with school district leaders today to try to end a deadlock. Negotiations stalled in late August over the Coeur d’Alene School District’s proposal to keep base pay the same while shifting a greater share of rising health insurance costs to employees. The district’s health insurance plan is increasing 7.5 percent this year, or about $500,000. The school district now pays 69 percent of the premium for family health coverage, which is “very high compared to the rest of the state,” Superintendent Matt Handelman said. The district proposes reducing its share to 67 percent, leaving employees to cover the rest. The district also wants employees to pick up more out-of-pocket expenses, including co-insurance and co-pays/Scott Maben, SR. More here.

Question: Is the district's offer fair?