Cd'A teachers ask district officials for 5 percent raise

By KEITH COUSINS

Staff Writer

COEUR d’ALENE — Representatives of the Coeur d’Alene School District’s teachers’ union asked district officials for a 5 percent raise.

The proposal made Thursday at Woodland Middle School was the first made regarding teachers’ salaries during this year’s contract negotiations between the Coeur d’Alene Education Association, the union that represents teachers in the district, and the district’s negotiating team. The previous six meetings of the two sides discussed issues with teacher contracts such as allowing prep time between classes and being paid for after-school events.

In addition to the 5 percent salary increase, which amounts to $1.64 million in salary increases, the CEA also asked for an increase in the amount the district pays toward teachers’ health insurance.

“Together we can help each other find some money,” said Scott Traverse, CEA lead negotiator and social studies teacher at Woodland Middle School, to the district’s negotiating team. “We can find some areas where money can be used to implement this.”

Traverse and the CEA team issued the proposal at the end of Thursday’s meeting. The district’s negotiating team is expected to respond to the proposal when negotiations resume next week.

The two negotiating teams also discussed a memorandum of understanding regarding teacher prep time. The document, according to both sides, will set in place a trial run next school year that, if successful, could be added to the actual contract next year.

Under the document, district officials will work with the district’s elementary schools to ensure teachers get 225 minutes of preparation time each five-day work week.

“You guys agree that this is a need?” Traverse asked the district’s negotiating team.

“I think it’s very important,” responded Trina Caudle, acting superintendent and lead negotiator for the district.

Many teachers gathered at the negotiation, with some carrying hand-drawn signs.

“Taught here for 20 years, master’s degree, highly qualified, why is my salary the last thing in the budget,” one sign read, in reference to a perception Traverse said many teachers have that their wages come last in the district’s budgeting process.

The next negotiation meeting will take place on June 6 at Woodland Middle School.