Teachers criticize FUESD over health benefits

A picket sign displaying “Bargain in good faith” could be used against its owner. The sign was protesting the possible change in health coverage for teachers of the Fallbrook Union Elementary School District (FUESD) during the district’s board meeting held on the evening of Tuesday, February 22.

Over 100 people showed up to support the protest with dozens of similar signs waving around the multipurpose room of the William H. Frazier School. Six of them spoke to the board to explain their stance on the issue, including Fallbrook Elementary Teachers Association (FETA) President Carol Daley, “I am here tonight because 323 Fallbrook Elementary teachers, association members, don’t believe you are listening to them.

“...We have consistently demonstrated our dedication to our students and our community. The FETA Bargaining Team has offered to discuss ways to help the district control healthcare benefit costs, but the District’s only response to our offer is the demand to cap benefits. Let’s be clear. A cap on benefits is a pay cut.” Her comments, as well as others similar to hers, were followed by cheers and applause.

Other repeated points were the desire to use Interest based bargaining efforts and for the Board to listen to teacher’s concerns.

After the Hearing Session, where members of the public can address the Board, ended, nearly the entire audience left, leaving only 9 people in the audience, which is the about the average size for most meetings. Those who left did not hear the responses of board members that came only minutes later.

Vice President Maurice Bernier first commented, “Unfortunately... the audience just left... I’m glad that we listened to them.”

President Patty de Jong was disappointed that those who voiced their opinions did not stay to listen to the reasons the board is in this situation. “We do have wonderful teachers in this district... One of the major responsibilities of any school board is to make sure that its district maintains a healthy financial picture. And that’s what we’re trying to do. Unfortunately, we are in dire times: in the state economy, in the federal economy... The buck stops here, [there is no other source],” said de Jong. “I understand their position; they need to understand our position.”

Superintendent Mike Choate echoed de Jong’s remarks. “The management’s point of view is that both sides listen.... The reality is, times are tough financially,” said Choate. He also pointed out that Assistant Superintendent James Whitlock brought interest based bargaining efforts to the District.

In a written statement given to the press, Whitlock said “The District currently pays 100% of the health insurance premium for approximately 300 teachers and 154 classified and management personnel. The District pays 100% of the premium regardless of whether the employee is insuring just [the employee], the employee plus one dependent or the employee

. All employees entitled to health benefits have the same plan. The annual premium is $4,490 for the employee only (156 employees), $8,868 for employees

dependent (108 employees) and $12,510 for employees

family (190 employees).”

In a separate correspondence, Whitlock said that the average annual salary for an FUESD teacher is $61,000.

Later in the meeting, in a scheduled presentation, Assistant Superintendent Ray Proctor displayed his budget estimates for the 2005-2006 school year and noted that he expects a 20% increase in employee health premiums beginning January 1, 2006, which would total an additional $475,292 just for the first six months of that year.

“The adverse impact of the increased cost of employee benefits on the District’s budget for 2005-06 will be in excess of one million dollars. The problem is that the rate of increase for health insurance has been far greater than the district’s rate of revenue increase... the result is a squeeze on all other areas of the budget.

“The bargaining issue is about controlling the future cost of benefits. The District has made a settlement proposal to both employee unions that is adequate to fund the 2005 cost of benefits (with no change in plans) as well as providing a small salary increase for 2004-05. The employee unions would prefer to continue the assurance that the district will continue to pay 100% of the premium in 2006 and future years. The District would prefer to annually negotiate what it pays for benefits. The parties have not yet found some acceptable middle ground that meets the interests of both sides,” said Whitlock’s press statement.