Idaho Lawmakers Debate Teacher Contract Bills

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Senate committee has agreed to debate three revised bills governing contracts and negotiations of teacher contracts. The Senate Education Committee agreed Monday to introduce three measures being pushed by the Idaho School Boards Association. Board Executive Director Karen Echeverria says the bills are similar to versions introduced by the committee last month.

But she says changes were made after six hours of negotiations with lawmakers, the teacher's union and school administrators. The bills cover the terms of the master contract agreements negotiated between teachers and school districts.

The latest version would allow details such as schedules and grades to apply to two years in those contracts. But issues of salary and benefits would be renegotiated annually. Another bill would give school boards the authority to reduce teacher salaries.