Board ratifies teachers' master agreement as trustees approve staffing; one personnel case flagged for follow-up

The Emmett Independent District board ratified the district's 2026 master agreement with the teachers' association and approved administrative and certified staffing recommendations for the upcoming school year.

District negotiators said the agreement required language changes to comply with Idaho code and added a new dental option (Northwest Dental) that staff said offers similar coverage with different vendor flexibility. District staff described the compensation outcome as averaging about a 2.3% increase across the schedule, noting step movement produces variable increases for individual employees.

Trustees moved and approved administrative staffing renewals and the regular certified staffing list. Several trustees asked about resignations and transfer details for individual employees; staff responded with destination information where known (for example, a teacher taking a job out-of-state).

One certified staff member on administrative leave was discussed; at least one trustee recorded a 'no' on the rehire slate and asked that the case be addressed in executive session on a later agenda. The board agreed to revisit that personnel matter.

The master agreement ratification was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote. Trustees asked that next year the association provide documentation quantifying association representation levels (e.g., whether it represents 50% or more of employees).