Teachers Press Pay Request

Derek Kohles, president of the local teachers union, called the convergence of dozens of Coeur d’Alene public school employees on Monday’s school board meeting “a peaceful, professional action.” Throngs of teachers and other school district workers waited for the doors to the Midtown Center to open for the 5 p.m. meeting, many holding signs that read: “Don’t reduce take home pay, again,” “CDA teachers want a contract,” “Your cuts hurt our community,” and “Your benefit cuts hurt my family.” When the meeting began, the large crowd filled the meeting room and flowed into the hallway. “The CEA team has taken a firm position that no district employee should take a take-home pay cut at a time when the district’s allocation from the state includes money for raises, steps and lanes, and discretionary funds to help pay for insurance increases,” Kohles said during the section of the board meeting regularly dedicated to hearing from the teachers union representative/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d’Alene Press. More here . (Press Photo by Shawn Gust: Charlene Jones, the wife of an educator, visits with other supporters of the Coeur d’Alene Education Association)

Question: Who’s side are you on in these contract talks?