REGIONAL NEWS ROUNDUP: Uniontown public restroom on the mend with $25,000 contribution

Stories in this Regional News Roundup are excerpted from weekly newspapers from around the region. This is part two, with part one having appeared in Saturday’s Tribune.

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UNIONTOWN — The Port of Whitman County Commissioners voted to authorize an Economic Development and Tourism Agreement with the town of Uniontown to help fund the revitalization of the restroom facility in Holzer Park in its regular meeting Jan. 18.

The commissioners voted to authorize Port Executive Director Kara Riebold to sign the agreement to provide Uniontown with a contribution of $25,000 toward the restroom in Holzer Park.

Uniontown is seeking an excess levy for parks in 2025 to provide a $5,000 match to meet the projected funding needs.

The project includes the installation of accessible sinks, handrails, automatic door openers, automatic lighting, hand dryers, replacement heaters, resurfacing floors with non-slip epoxy, and repainting.

“We are excited to partner with Uniontown in the Holzer Park restroom improvements,” Riebold said, noting a commitment to economic development and tourism advancement for Whitman County and a knowledge that the facility will be used for years to come.

— Teresa Simpson, Whitman County Gazette (Colfax), Thursday

Teacher salaries up, vary by district

KAMIAH — According to the Idaho Department of Education, the average teacher salary in Idaho increased by 9.1% to $61,516 in this school year.

Average salaries are up $5,151 ($61,516 from $56,365) since the 2022-23 school year, and $17,311 ($44,205) since 2014-15.

Locally, Kamiah Joint School District 304 is in the mid-range (number 68), paying $61,350 teacher salaries for 2023-24, up from $41,569 in 2014-15. Mountain View School District 244 (Kooskia, Grangeville and Elk City schools) falls closer to the bottom (121st of 189 listed) with a $57,851 salary for 2023-24 ($44,496 in 2012-15). Closer to the bottom of the list (number 175) is Riggins’ Salmon River School District 244, which was paying $39,521 in 2014-15 and is at $52,168 for the 2023-24 year.

Idaho teachers earn 8.5% less than the national average of $66,745.

Although salaries are higher when adjusted for inflation, the average salary of classroom teachers declined by an estimated 6.4% during the past decade, according to the latest data from the National Education Association.

For 2023-24 salaries, Genesee (number 10), Lewiston (21) and Moscow (23) are toward the top at $73,246, $63,649 and $67,644, respectively.

There are four districts and 12 charters with average teacher salaries more than $70,000. Blaine County School District pays the highest, at an average of $90,942.

A visible disparity exists between the highest-paying and lowest-paying districts and charters. Teachers employed in the 16 lowest-paying earn 49% less than the 16 highest.

Additional local districts’ salaries are as follows for 2023-24: Nezperce School District 302 (number 43), $63,542; Orofino Joint School District 171 (75) $60,767; and Cottonwood Joint School District 242 (83) $60,257.

This year’s results include base salary plus extra pay, an amount determined by individual districts and charter schools. The average was calculated by dividing the state’s 17,949 full-time teachers by total salaries of approximately $1 billion, plus $18 million in extra pay. (From Idaho Education News).

— Lorie Palmer, the Clearwater Progress (Kamiah), Thursday