Post Falls, Lakeland teachers ratify deals

The local teachers unions for the Post Falls and Lakeland school districts ratified agreements on Friday.

The Post Falls School Board approved the contract for that district Friday night to make it official, while Lakeland's board is expected to approve that district's on Monday.

Post Falls' contract includes one furlough day for employees, payment of education and experience increments for teachers, a 10 percent reduction in the district's pay for family benefits and a one-time stipend for employees who do not qualify for state increments.

"The agreement will serve both the staff and the district well," said Becky Ford, assistant superintendent. "The district needs to thank the PFEA (Post Falls Education Association) for its work on behalf of its membership as well as its willingness to help in these difficult economic times."

Under a new law, unions and districts were required to reach a tentative agreement by Friday. If one hadn't been reached, school boards would have been required to implement their last best offer by June 22.

"I have to say we are lucky in Post Falls that we work well together," said Lisa Hoffeld, a Mullan Trail Elementary teacher and PFEA president. "The most difficult part of this process was that we could not discuss anything outside of salary and benefits because, when it comes down to it, everything is tied together."

Post Falls' salary schedule will be frozen for the third year in a row. However, teachers will still be able to get a bump in pay if education or experience allow.

"Most districts are providing the increments based on the fact that the state specifically provided money to do so," Superintendent Jerry Keane said.

Unlike some districts, Post Falls has no buyback language for its furlough day. The furlough represents $75,000. Some districts have language that will buy back furlough days if state surplus money is received in July as expected.

The amount the district will pay for family insurance plans will decrease from 80 percent to 70 percent. The cut represents $310,000.

"We do have contingency language that we would buy up to 4 percent back if we get the money that we have been promised in July," Keane said.

The one-time stipend for employees who do not qualify for state increments will either be $750 or $1,000 depending on the employee's salary schedule.

"The stipend will be paid by the money we save with the furlough day," Keane said.

Raises for administrators is not planned, he said.

"However, we will probably treat them equally to the certified staff (with a stipend)," Keane said.

Another way Post Falls will balance a reduced budget is having six fewer certified teaching staff next year.

"We did not have to conduct an actual reduction in force procedure because of retirements and other staff attrition," Keane said.

Barney Brewton, the district's director of elementary programs for the past several years and former Ponderosa Elementary principal, is moving to Seltice Elementary to fill the principal position formerly occupied by Mike Uphus.

"We will not be filling the position in the district office," Keane said. "Barney will continue to do some work for the district office, however."

The Lakeland Education Association ratified an agreement with that district that includes three furlough days and frozen salaries for the next school year.

Lakeland's three furlough days, which applies to both teachers and administrators, represents $204,000. There is a provision to repay furlough days if state surplus funds are received in July.

"September will come and we'll do the best we can with what we have," said Carrie Scozzaro, LEA's lead negotiator.

Lakeland changed insurance carriers and plans and will continue to pay the single rate for health and dental benefits.

Lakeland's total proposed budget for the next year is about $23.4 million, the third straight decline.

In addition to cuts in state funding, districts are losing federal stimulus dollars that helped keep some staff employed over the past two years.

The district will look into not replacing retirees, cutting hours with some positions and consolidating duties with others. Some hiring has been postponed until September.

The unions didn't release their specific voting results in ratifying the agreements.

Budget hearings

• A public hearing on Post Falls' proposed school budget will be Monday at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

• A public hearing on Lakeland's proposed school budget will be at 7 p.m. on June 20 at the district office.