National Education Association leadership traveled to North Idaho this week, focusing on the unique challenges facing rural school districts in Kootenai County and beyond. Princess Moss, who assumed the presidency of the NEA on September 1, met with local educators in Coeur d’Alene and Kellogg on Friday to discuss teacher compensation, funding equity, and the impact of recent state legislation on union operations.
The visit highlights ongoing tensions between national education unions and Idaho lawmakers regarding how public schools are funded and managed. As reported by cdapress.com, Moss was accompanied by Peggy Hoy, president of the Idaho Education Association (IEA). The discussions centered on closing the gap in teacher salaries between Idaho and neighboring states, as well as addressing concerns that current funding formulas disadvantage students in rural zip codes.
National Focus on Rural Education Equity
The National Education Association represents approximately 3 million public school teachers and staff members across the United States. Moss’s visit to Idaho marks an early priority of her three-year term, which began at the start of September. She emphasized that rural districts are a key focus for the organization moving forward.
“I want rural schools to know they are important to the National Education Association,” Moss told the Coeur d’Alene Press during the meetings in Coeur d’Alene and Kellogg.
Peggy Hoy, who launched the NEA’s Rural Schools Caucus, played a central role in facilitating these discussions. Hoy brings extensive experience to her leadership role, having worked for the Twin Falls School District for more than 30 years before taking on statewide responsibilities. Her background in southern Idaho education provides context for the union’s push to standardize support across the state, regardless of district size or location.
Salary Disparities and Funding Formulas
A primary concern raised by North Idaho educators during the meetings was the significant pay gap between teachers in Idaho and those in Washington state. Local union representatives noted that Washington offers substantially higher average salaries, making it difficult for Idaho districts to recruit and retain qualified staff.
Jake Smulkowski, president of the Post Falls Education Association and a fifth-grade teacher at Ponderosa Elementary, highlighted the inequity inherent in the current system. He argued that a student’s educational opportunities should not depend on their geographic location within the state.
“A kid in Bonners Ferry deserves as good of an education as a kid in Coeur d’Alene,” Smulkowski told the Coeur d’Alene Press.
Connie Wilkerson, president of the Lakeland Education Association and a fifth-grade teacher at Spirit Lake Elementary, also participated in the meetings. Both Smulkowski and Wilkerson represent districts that face distinct challenges compared to larger urban centers, including limited tax bases and higher per-student costs for transportation and specialized services.
Impact of Recent Legislative Changes
The union’s visit comes shortly after Governor Brad Little signed HB 516 into law earlier this year. The legislation prohibits school unions from automatically deducting dues from teacher paychecks and restricts paid time off for union activities. This policy shift has altered the financial landscape for education unions in Idaho, reducing their ability to collect funds without explicit, ongoing consent from members.
Critics of the law argue that it weakens collective bargaining power and reduces resources available for professional development and advocacy. Supporters contend that it restores individual choice for teachers and prevents mandatory funding of political activities they may not support. The NEA’s presence in North Idaho underscores its strategy to maintain engagement with members despite these legislative hurdles.
Funding formulas remain a contentious issue. Educators argue that tying education quality to zip codes creates an uneven playing field, where rural students have fewer resources than their urban counterparts. While the state legislature has made incremental changes to funding models in recent sessions, union leaders say more comprehensive reform is needed to ensure parity across all districts.
Local Context and Future Steps
The challenges facing rural schools in Kootenai County mirror broader trends in Idaho education. Districts like Lake Pend Oreille, Kellogg, and Spirit Lake must balance limited budgets with the need to provide competitive salaries and modern learning environments. Initiatives such as the 4-H Mobile STEM Classroom donation by local engineering firms demonstrate community efforts to supplement public funding, but educators say systemic change is necessary.
Similarly, programs like the strengths assessment rollout in Lake Pend Oreille Schools aim to build student confidence and improve outcomes without increasing tax burdens. These local innovations highlight the creativity of Idaho educators working within constrained resources.
Moss’s visit signals that the NEA intends to keep rural education at the forefront of its national agenda. Whether through advocacy for increased state funding, opposition to further union restrictions, or partnerships with local districts, the organization aims to amplify the voices of teachers in smaller communities. For now, educators in Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, and surrounding areas are watching closely to see if these high-level meetings translate into tangible policy changes.
The next steps for the NEA and IEA will likely involve continued dialogue with state lawmakers and increased outreach to members affected by HB 516. As the new school year progresses, the focus will remain on whether Idaho can close the compensation gap with neighboring states and ensure that every student, regardless of zip code, receives a high-quality education.