Idaho Lawmakers Delay Vote on Teacher Contract Bill

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A Senate committee has delayed a vote on two measures pushed by the Idaho School Board Association giving school districts more leverage in teacher contract and salary negotiations after nearly three hours of testimony.

One piece of legislation debated in the Senate Education Committee Wednesday would limit terms and conditions of teacher's salary contracts to one year, which school districts say is critical to managing their yearly budgets. A second bill would give districts permission to reduce salaries and shorten teacher contracts.

Teachers who testified against the bills argued they send a negative message to educators and voters who struck down similar measures at the ballot box last November. Committee chairman Sen. John Goedde of Coeur d'Alene indicated he will bring the bills back for discussion and a vote.