Teachers in the Caldwell School District ratified a new two-year contract Friday that includes a 3.8% salary increase for the 2026-27 school year, bringing the district’s starting teacher salary to $43,200 — still below the statewide average but a meaningful step toward competitive compensation in Canyon County’s tight labor market. The contract was approved by 82% of the district’s 420 certified educators in a vote conducted at each school building.
The Caldwell School District serves approximately 6,500 students across 12 schools in Caldwell and surrounding communities. Like many Idaho districts, Caldwell has struggled with teacher recruitment and retention as Canyon County’s rising cost of living outpaces educator compensation. The district lost 38 teachers to resignation last year — a turnover rate of 9% — with exit surveys indicating salary as the primary factor in departure decisions.
How the Pay Increase Was Funded
Superintendent Shalene French said the 3.8% increase was made possible by the Idaho Legislature’s recent 5.1% boost in per-student funding, combined with approximately $800,000 in savings from administrative consolidation and energy efficiency improvements the district implemented over the past two years. No supplemental levy or bond is required to fund the salary increase.
“We found the money by running a tighter operation, and the Legislature’s investment in education gave us the room to direct those savings to where they matter most — our teachers’ paychecks,” French told the school board during Tuesday’s meeting at the district office on South Kimball Avenue. “These are the professionals we’re entrusting with our children’s futures. Compensating them fairly isn’t optional — it’s an obligation.”
How Caldwell Compares to Other Canyon County Districts
Even with the increase, Caldwell’s starting salary of $43,200 lags behind the Nampa School District ($44,500), the Vallivue School District ($44,100), and the Middleton School District ($44,800). The gap narrows at higher experience levels, and Caldwell offers competitive benefits including health insurance with relatively low employee premium contributions.
Caldwell Education Association president Maria Gutierrez said the contract represents progress but acknowledged more work remains. “Our teachers chose this profession because they care about kids, not because of the money,” Gutierrez said. “But caring about kids doesn’t pay the rent in Canyon County anymore. This raise helps, and we’ll continue advocating for our members in future negotiations.”
Recruitment and Retention Challenges
Teacher recruitment in Canyon County has become increasingly competitive as multiple districts vie for graduates from the same limited pool of education program completers. Boise State University and the College of Idaho produced approximately 350 new teachers last year — far fewer than the combined needs of districts across the Treasure Valley. Caldwell has begun recruiting from out-of-state programs, offering relocation assistance and mentorship programs to attract candidates from Oregon, Washington, and Montana.
The contract also includes improvements to the district’s professional development program and establishes a teacher leadership pathway that provides additional compensation for educators who take on mentoring, curriculum development, and instructional coaching roles beyond their classroom duties.
What Comes Next
The new salary schedule takes effect July 1, 2026. The district is also conducting a classified staff compensation study — covering bus drivers, custodians, and paraprofessionals — with results expected in September. Parents with questions about the district’s budget or educational programs can attend monthly school board meetings held the second Tuesday of each month at the Caldwell School District office. The board meeting calendar is posted at caldwellschools.org.