Pocatello District board agrees to open negotiations with Pocatello Education Association for 2024–25

The Pocatello District board voted to accept a formal request from the Pocatello Education Association (PEA) to open contract negotiations for the 2024–25 school year.

At the special meeting the board reviewed the letter from the PEA (included in the meeting packet) requesting bargaining dates that extend into June. Jonathan Balz described the item as an annual, administrative step to authorize negotiations: "This is an annual, kind of a formal consideration for the board." (Balz).

Board member Heather (Speaker 3) moved to accept the request to open negotiations. A second was requested on the floor and the board recorded voice votes of "Aye" with no opposition expressed on the record; the motion carried. Board members noted they would hold a preliminary budget discussion and use executive sessions during bargaining to set parameters and discuss bargaining strategy as appropriate under law.

The board did not engage in bargaining at the meeting; members asked staff to schedule preliminary budget and executive session discussions so the board can provide parameters to negotiators before talks begin.