Bill Mandating Open Teacher School Board Talks Heads to Idaho Senate

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill mandating open meetings between teachers and school boards during contract discussions has cleared a Senate committee. On Tuesday the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved a proposal to make all collective bargaining talks public and require school board officials to post notices of upcoming negotiation sessions.

The bill would also make all meeting minutes and contract offers subject to the state's open records laws. Idaho Education Association Executive Director Robin Nettinga said the measure is intended to keep discussions transparent. The Idaho School Board Association also supported the legislation.

ISBA Executive Director Karen Echeverria said ending open negotiations when voters struck down the Students Come First laws last November was an "unintended consequence." The legislation now goes to the full Senate for debate.