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Trustees approve 2026–27 teacher agreement after association reports 97% ratification
Summary
The Kuna Joint District board approved the 2026–27 negotiated agreement after the teachers' association reported a 97% member ratification; the deal preserves step movement but contains no across‑the‑board raise, includes a one‑time payment for long‑service staff and changes to employee health plan contributions.
Trustees for the KUNA JOINT DISTRICT voted unanimously to approve the 2026–27 negotiated agreement following a presentation by the teachers' association that said members ratified the contract by 97 percent.
The association president, Melissa Nielsen, told the board the agreement does not include a general cost‑of‑living raise because of district budget constraints, but it preserves movement on the salary schedule (steps) so teachers continue to advance year to year. Nielsen said the contract provides a one‑time $500 payment for employees at the top step (15+ years) and clarified procedures for professional‑credit reimbursement and due‑process rights.
"While it would be amazing to have a cost‑of‑living increase, a raise, whatever, lots of money coming into our schools and our teachers," Nielsen said, adding that the ratification vote reflects member support for avoiding frozen steps and preserving long‑term salary progression.
Nielsen also described changes to health insurance: the association reported switching from the previous Regions plan to a new plan that reduced the anticipated premium increase and that employees will contribute more toward PPO premiums (from $25 to $50 per month). She said those adjustments and other savings were negotiated to help the district address budget pressure while maintaining negotiable protections for teachers.
Board members asked questions about class sizes, scheduling changes and how step movement is recognized if teachers move between districts. Melissa Nielsen said step credit varies by district and that some districts give partial credit when teachers transfer.
The board made a motion to approve the negotiated agreement, the motion was seconded and the trustees voted unanimously to adopt it.
