COEUR d'ALENE - Observers of teacher contract talks Thursday in Coeur d'Alene might say the honeymoon is over for the Coeur d'Alene School District's newest trustees and new superintendent.

During a three-hour negotiating session at Lakes Magnet Middle School, the discussion veered away from the usual bargaining table topics of budget, salaries and benefits. Talk turned tense, following a financial presentation and proposal by the Coeur d'Alene Education Association's negotiating team.

"The proposal that you're making, I don't think it does anything to balance the budget as we're legally required to do," said board chair Tom Hearn

Hearn said he understands that teachers have gone without a raise for several years, but he acknowledged that most of them kept their jobs during the recent recession, unlike many in the private sector. Full story. Maureen Dolan, CdA Press

Thoughts?

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