POST FALLS - The Post Falls School District and the teachers' union have reached a tentative agreement for next year that freezes base salaries.

The Post Falls Education Association has ratified the agreement. The school board is expected to approve the contract on Tuesday.

"This will be the fourth year in a row that base salaries will be frozen," said Superintendent Jerry Keane.

No furlough days are included in the proposal.

"While we are disappointed that we are seeing teacher salaries frozen, we understand that the money is not there," said Lisa Hoffeld, PFEA's chief negotiator.

The plan allows for educational steps to increase salaries to qualified teachers, but freezes experience steps in the salary schedules.

Keane said an increase in health insurance costs prevented the district from doing more for salaries.

The insurance plan is proposed to be changed from a $200 deductible to $350 and reduces the amount the district pays for families from 74 percent to 71 percent. There will be no change in dental premiums for employees.

"We greatly appreciate that the district and the PFEA are working together during these difficult financial times," said Becky Ford, assistant superintendent. "This is not an agreement that makes anyone happy. However, it is reasonable under the circumstances."

The district will receive a .4 percent increase in state funds for fiscal 2013 to cover student enrollment growth. Post Falls has had its state allocation reduced by $3.6 million since 2009.

"We'd love to get to the point where we can provide increases to our great employees," Keane said. "It's something we want to make happen soon if we can, but obviously we're subject to economic issues that we have to respond to."

Keane said no decisions have been made regarding support staff pay, which is not covered by the agreement.

"But we have always tried to treat all of our employee groups the same," he said.

Post Falls has a certified teaching staff of 306 affected by the contract.