Kalispell teachers vent frustrations with ongoing contract negotiations

Undervalued and underappreciated were two words repeated by dozens of teachers in Kalispell Public Schools who addressed the school board and district administrators during an emotional public commenting period Tuesday.  

Over an hour, about 24 employees shared how starting the school year without a new contract for certified staff has contributed to low morale among educators throughout the district. Many cited financial, professional and emotional stress compounded by expanded workloads, fewer resources, low salaries and high costs of living. 

The veteran teachers, new teachers, a school psychologist and a speech-language pathologist provided personal experiences and relayed comments from colleagues surveyed by the Kalispell Education Association to a packed boardroom at Flathead High School.