As Idaho’s public school teachers prepare for the upcoming school year, they face a mixed landscape of salary adjustments due to flat state funding. While some districts have managed to secure slight pay increases, many others have not been able to provide raises.

West Ada and Boise Districts

In the West Ada School District, teachers will see an average salary increase of 3.82%, equating to approximately $1,900 to $3,200. The West Ada Education Association ratified this agreement with a 79.7% approval rate. Meanwhile, Boise teachers will receive a modest 0.5% salary increase along with an extra day of personal leave. Despite financial constraints, the Boise Education Association expressed satisfaction with the agreement.

Challenges in Pocatello and Vallivue

Teachers in Pocatello will not receive a salary increase, although they can advance on the career ladder. The district plans to seek additional funding through a supplemental levy in November. In Vallivue, veteran teachers will receive a small 0.25% increase, reflecting the district’s effort to reward experienced educators despite flat funding from the state.

Other Districts’ Responses

Several other districts, including Twin Falls, Lewiston, and Jerome, will not provide salary increases but will allow teachers to move up on the career ladder. In Jerome, the number of contract days has been reduced, but salaries remain unchanged due to the lack of state funding for cost-of-living adjustments.

Negotiations are still ongoing in several districts, including Jefferson, Bonneville, Nampa, Kimberly, Minidoka, Caldwell, Middleton, and Lakeland, as they strive to finalize agreements before the new fiscal year begins.

Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.