Cda Teachers Union Approves Contract

After a fivemonth impasse, the Coeur d’Alene School Board is expected to approve a contract Friday between the district and its teachers.

“It’s been a long year, and we’re glad to have a contract,” said Ron Estep, a Lake City High School English teacher who served on the negotiating team for the teachers union.

The union membership voted Tuesday night to approve the contract.

The contract raises teachers’ base salaries by 3.88 percent, from $20,805 to $21,613. It also retains the current benefits and insurance plan and the district’s contribution to that plan. The district pays 77 percent of family medical insurance.

The contract that teachers approved was similar to the second offer made by the district. The district’s first offer included a 3.09 percent base salary increase.

Also included in the contract are stipends to teachers who supervise school activities, such as coaches or yearbook advisers. Those stipends will be given after five and 10 years of service in those positions. The district also will create a retirement incentive package for certificated staff over a three-year period.

“Both teams worked very diligently to work out an agreement, and it was a confirmation of those collaborative efforts,” said Judy Drake, the district’s chief negotiator.

Negotiations began last summer, but were stalled by a 39 percent increase in health insurance premiums. The two sides have formed a committee to explore other insurance plans.

Also complicating the process was the district’s switch to a collaborative bargaining style in which both sides work together to develop proposals.

“Anytime you engage in a new process, you have that period of everyone getting used to it and trying to understand it,” said Wanda Quinn, the school board chairwoman.

With no progress being made during the fall, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Marilyn Howard appointed Jim Smith of Salmon to be a fact-finder. Smith held a hearing Jan. 12 and issued a report last week.

“Basically, we went ahead and agreed with the fact-finder’s report,” Estep said.

This sidebar appeared with the story: DETAILS The contract:

Raises teacher base salary from $20,805 to $21,613.

Retains current benefits and insurance.

Maintains percentage of family medical insurance paid by district.

Includes stipends for supervising after-school activities.