Teachers say they’ll stay on job

The Coeur d’Alene teachers union said Friday it has no intention of going on strike in protest of the contract impasse.

In response to a media report about teachers planning to call in sick, the Coeur d’Alene Education Association said it is continuing to negotiate with the school district on settling teacher contracts.

The main issues are salary increases and working conditions. The current starting salary for a teacher in the district is $27,500, plus benefits. The top scheduled salary is $50,081, plus benefits. Teachers want more time to prepare for classes, among other improvements.

A third mediation session between the district and association is scheduled for Tuesday.

“We’re planning on being there until we reach an agreement,” said Kristi Nivette, president of the association and a teacher at Canfield Middle School.

Teachers have been working on the 2004-2005 contract since then.

Judy Drake, the district’s director of staff relations, declined to comment about why a settlement hasn’t been reached, citing restrictions about what negotiating parties can talk about.

She would only say: “There are many issues that go into the negotiations process.”

Nivette said rising gas prices and health costs are likely affecting the district’s finances, “but they should be budgeting for that.

“The real problem comes from the fact, so many years, the state has not funded education (enough).”

It’s unusual for negotiations to continue this far into the school year.

Nancy White, whose daughter is a third-grader at Sorensen Elementary, said parents are talking about the situation.

“It worries me, because I think it leaves our teachers feeling unsettled and insecure,” White said, “and that’s got to affect their daily work.”

White said she supports the teachers and wants them to be paid well.

“It’s awkward to be put in a situation where you’re taking sides,” she added, “because it’s a good school district, too.”