Cda Teachers To Get 3.2 Percent Pay Hikes Union’s Unanimous Approval Of Contract Brings Relief, End To Tough Negotiations

Coeur d’Alene teachers got an average 3.2 percent salary increase in a contract approved unanimously by their union membership Friday.

The school board approved the agreement Thursday.

Superintendent Doug Cresswell and union leader Judy Hyatt could not remember the last time Coeur d’Alene teachers had started school without a contract.

The delay this year, Hyatt said, was due to a deadlock.

Federal mediators were never called in, nor was a teachers’ strike committee formed.

“We needed complete information on funding in order to reach a meeting of the minds on what would be a fair and professional compensation,” Hyatt said.

Hyatt did say that negotiations were a little tougher than usual.

“I think the school board was very eager to respond to taxpayer concerns in the community,” she said.

Questions on funding were answered once the actual enrollment was known and the school board passed an emergency levy.

The district administration said it is not using the emergency levy for teacher salaries, except for one new teaching position, but is holding it in reserve in case of a shortfall in state funds.

Although the prolonged negotiations did not disrupt school, Hyatt said they made teachers uneasy.

“Everyone was hopeful. People were quite uncertain,” she said. “There was definitely an emotional difference, a tension.”

The agreement increased the starting salary by 2.4 percent, from $18,795 to $19,250. The new top salary is $38,981.

A 15th year of experience was added to the salary schedule.

The board and teachers also agreed to form a committee to study the issue of “inclusion,” the practice of placing disabled children in regular classrooms.

Most special education children in Coeur d’Alene schools are in regular classrooms at least part of the day, and teachers say they need more aides to help with those students.

Teachers also want a clear policy outlining parent and student complaint procedures, and the board agreed to develop one.

In a statement announcing the agreement, school board Chairman Ken Burchell said he was pleased with the settlement.

“We continue to value the very fine work they do for district students and the community,” he said.

Teachers in St. Maries and Wallace are still working without contracts.

, DataTimes