School districts across the state are grappling with changes stemming from a new state law raising the salary for teachers and the major districts west of Boise are no exception.
The Idaho Press-Tribune reports that Nampa Superintendent David Peterson says the starting wage increase of 4.5 percent will have a large effect on his district. A financial crisis in 2012 caused many veteran teachers to leave and brought an influx of first-time educators to the city.
Caldwell Superintendent Tim Rosandick says he hopes the changes will help his district recruit and retain more teachers. He says Baby Boomers are retiring and the higher salaries will make Caldwell more competitive.
Peterson, Rosandick and the superintendents of Middleton and Vallivue school districts say negotiations with local teachers' unions are ongoing.