Lorain/Elyria, OH
Officials: Health care costs draining Elyria Schools
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ELYRIA - The current health insurance program of the Elyria Schools is bleeding the district dry, administrators say.
One week after the Elyria Schools teachers union shot down a proposal that would have employees paying more for their health insurance, board members learned that the current health plan is no longer financial feasible and is stripping the district of money it set aside to pay the bills in 2013.
“We are out of money and are living off of tomorrow,” Treasurer Fred Stephens said.
Unless something is done now, the district will face a deficit in 2013, Stephens said.
This is not news for board members.
In March, Stephens presented a five-year forecast to board members telling them that the 2013 deficit hovered around $10 million and, in order to significantly reduce that figure, big budget cuts needed to be made. Board members decided to close two more elementary schools and more teachers were laid off.
The actions resulted in the deficit being reduced to about $4 million, but it still exists.
At that time, school officials also knew they had to get a handle on health insurance spending. If not, closing the schools and reducing teachers would have been in vain, because the rising cost of health insurance would still leave the district`s budget in the red.
On more than one occasion, with the most recent time coming roughly four weeks ago, a
$1 million advance into the health insurance fund was needed just to ensure all the health claims in the district plan could be paid.
Elyria Schools is a self-insured district that spent roughly $7.5 million on health care for its employees in 2008, but that figure is expected to jump to more than $8 million by July 1.
That`s why on May 13, teachers and staff members were presented with a plan that came about after months of work by the health insurance committee to make the fund more self-sufficient.
Superintendent Paul Rigda said there was hope that teachers would begin picking up the extra cost, given the state of the school system`s finances.
The proposal would have had the district`s more than 900 employees contributing about 12.5 percent of the total health care cost.
Currently, the district offers a three-tier health care program where individuals pay $10 per month - 2.5 percent of the total cost - and have a $250 deductible.
Employees carrying either a child or spouse on the insurance with them pay $20 a month, and family plans are $30 per month. The family deductible is $500.
The proposed pay structure would have increased the $10 monthly contribution for an individual to $52.43 and the $20 or $30 monthly contribution to $132.43 per month per family.
The teachers union dashed those hopes with a vote of no, which left the district contractually obligated to pay the brunt of the plan.
The Elyria Education Association`s new leader, Sarida Volante, said the vote was not an unequivocal rejection.
“We did not say no,” Volante said after Wednesday`s meeting. “We would like to reserve the right to bargain the issue with the rest of our negotiations.”
The increase would have placed Elyria employees on par with others across the state and country, district officials said.
Contact Lisa Roberson at 329-7121 or lroberson@chroniclet.com.
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The teachers union dashed those hopes with a vote of no, which left the district contractually obligated to pay the brunt of the plan.
When’s the contract up? When it is, dump the health care and let them go find out what everyone else already knows.
YOU CAN’T GET HEALTH CARE FOR TEN DOLLARS A MONTH IN THE REAL WORLD.
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I live and work in the City of Elyria and my children attend the Elyria City Schools. I understand that teachers salaries are not the highest, but $30 / month for a family plan in unbelievable! I have to pay $200 / month and I think that is a good deal. I understand that the increase seems huge, but it is what has to be expected.
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Then don’t give pay raises, use that money to cover the health cost….
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I agree - 30/month is sitting pretty these days… even for a single insured; let alone a family of them.
people need to learn (government employed people) that if they want to increase their chances of remaining employed - they need to give back; give a little… and not expect taxpayers to keep giving them more.
we’re gettin a new high school - too bad we wont be able to afford to put teachers in it to actually use it - not at this rate… something has to give.
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But if this was EFD we were talking about it would be a mortal sin to ask them to give back and for them to not ask for more and be happy they have a job !!
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I was just crunching the numbers on their healthcare plan. $8 million a year for 900 employees is about $8750 a year per employee, or about $725 a month. Add in the amount the teachers pay brings the plan up to about $750 a month. That’s one hell of a plan. For that price it should probably include elective plastic surgery, I know a few teachers could have used a face lift when I was in school. Most companies only contribute a few hundred dollars towards the healthcare, the rest is picked up by the employee. To get that kind of coverage from a company the employee would be paying $400-$500 a month, and they are complaining about $50? I have no sympathy for them.
This brings up another question, is the school district actually getting a good deal on their healthcare? Have they even bothered trying to look and see what the cost would be if they didn’t self insure? I can’t imagine their healthcare plan is that great. Usually healthcare costs go up when employees are unhealthy, smoke, overweight, and always filing claims. When I was in school the teachers were never sick, most don’t smoke, and most aren’t obese. I think the school district is getting screwed. I’m sure if you asked the administrators they would say they have looked into it, but I wish someone or a reporter would follow up with the questions when and to whom they spoke with.
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As a taxpayer and teacher advocate I believe there should be search and discovery to leave no stone unturned when it comes to reigning in costs to save the tax payer.
Teaching and nonteaching employees must pay 10% of their negotiated wage into their retirement fund.
Unless things have changed, administrators get theirs payed by the board, there is some savings to made here. And once there was a time when the board paid for an annuity for administrators. Now I realize people need to be paid but how does this compare in the real world.
For sake of discovery on solving the funding matter, Elyria probably employs 30 people in administrative roles, and lets use 75k per year as an average, there’s 2.25 million in wages paid, now if the board makes administrators pay their own retirement, that is a savings of 225k for the tax payers, and that is only about a 10% pay cut for them, that means a superintendent who once makes 100k per year, will see a wage drop to 90k. Not bad considering the times, and the importance of protecting the tax payer dollars. And now you have fairness. Then go back to the teachers and ask for 100.00 per month, meet in more fair common ground, everyone is sacrificing. Because probably the salaries of Elyria’s teachers likely averages at 45k, and so with this in mind, $150.00 per month hits them harder than does an adminiistrator who make 50% more . Teachers are probably a little dismayed that in the last decade or more there have been contracts that have seen wage freezes in order to help the district with its finances especially health insurance, and those freezes amount to as much or more than the desired 10% figure that is being asked today.
If anything, hopefully this newspaper would look into these practices with regards to benefits top to bottom in Elyria City Schools. There needs to be a objective view presented not just make the teachers look like they are the bad ones here. It’s not fair to paint teachers as greedy, they work hard for their pay, and they struggle like everyone else..
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Interesting look at the numbers WaitUntilNextYear, but a couple of corrections.
First average teacher salary in Elyria is just over 50K. Also keep in mind that the vast vast majority of the administrators you mention work 12 months, while the teachers do not. Now I do not begrudge the teachers their pay or the time off, they most certainly earn it and deserve it but you are not comparing apples to apples when you compare 180 work days to 260.
And last anything the teachers give up in health insurance premiums the administrators will match, instantly and without a vote or debate. So be careful you don’t hit the administrators with two reductions with your plan. Also I think if you look back at the history you will find that retirement pickup happened instead of raises. It was actually a good move to save the district some money because of the tax implicatons.
And I wouldn’t be surprised to see the administrators take that hit on health insurance premiums no matter what the teachers do.
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Jack,frost, thanks for you correspondence. Principals I would think fit the vast majority point you raise. They get their month off, and their spring break and winter break as well. I would to know what type of vacation plan Fred Stephens, and Paul Ridga enjoy. Since the Treasurer and the Superintendent have cited national averages in supporting their positions on this issue. I would wonder how many real world jobs out there, and the national averages of employers pick up the tab for the retirement funds? Any job I ever held deducted social security out of me, I would love to have had that money to use and know my retirement was going to be there just the same. I only hope that the whole aspect of how the benefits work in Elyria School will beome public for the tax payers to see. I suspect though this article will quickly disappear as the last one did. I think the teachers are getting unfair treatment with the way this is handled. I think the superintendent is a dissappointment in how he is attemting to paint the teachers of his district. I heard it described in earlier submissions that the superintendent is merely throwing a temper tantrum. And you know it kind of feels like one.
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Thank you for your points Jack Frost. I suppose in time the solutions will be found, and hopefully our Elyria Schools will be the better for it.
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I think it is funny. I read this article over and over.. My husband pays almost $500 a mth for family health coverage with his job. No matter if he made $30k or $70k a year.. it is the same amount. Yet when we go to a Dr. we are still payin an arm n a leg to be seen. We don’t get the “Priority” insurance like alot of teachers get. Which in the end just sucks.
I understand the whole payroll, they do have supply alot for their classrooms, they are only able to deduct so much from their taxes.. but I just never understood why they didn’t have SS deducted from their taxes. They put into a general Teachers Retirement fund, but I believe if you live & work in this great nation called “Amercia” than you should have to contribute too the SS just like every tom & jane in the US.
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You have got to be kidding me!!!!
They’re WHINING about $130.00 a month for health insurance????
They need to use the SUPPOSED education they have and research the OBVIOUS difference between their health care insurance cost and the rest of society’s cost.
Union extortion at its best.
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I have been a teacher in Elyria for many years. I also was born and raised in Elyria. It is with great sadness that I see what has and is becoming of our city. It is so discouraging to read so many negative comments about us. I understand that EVERYONE is living in difficult economic times. My situation is no different than most of yours. I too have a husband who has lost his job. We have gone from a two income family living comfortably to a family that is struggling to pay our bills. Yet, everyday I come to school and care for your children. I haven’t stopped buying lunch, school supplies, clothes, etc… for them. Will it be hard for me to pay the extra into the insurance fund. ABSOLUTELY! But, in the end the teachers always make sacrifices for our district. I have taken a pay freeze many times in order for our insurance to remain good. However, don’t think that we don’t have copays and deductables like everyone else. I was very sick last year and I am still making payments on my medical bills. As for Social Security…trust me when I say that we lose out in the end with that issue as well. Any money that I have paid into Soc. Sec. prior to becoming a teacher is lost. Also, any benefits that my husband has paid into the system, I am not entitle to those as well. People always think the grass is always greener on the other side. But, we as teachers are living in the same world and facing the same issues as many of the families of our students. We are simply fighting for the right for the best deal for all of us. A rushed decision was not in our best interest. Please be patient. In the end…this too will work out. Please support your teachers as much as we support your kids. Keep in mind….not only am I a teacher but on a daily basis I am also a nurse, counselor, shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, purchaser and supplier of needed materials for a successful school day, playground toys purchaser, clean clothes supplier, etc…The list could go on and on. But, I am not writing to the paper slamming parents because those things are not done. I come to work…and do what must be done for the children to be successful. Before anyone decides to slam the idea of the children being successful. My idea of success…getting the children to love school, even if there are a million problems they are worried about at home. Loving school and doing your best even on an empty belly. Loving school and doing your best even when there is little support at home. I still have yet to meet many of the parents whose children I have taught all year. Where is the partnership in that? However, I do my job to the best of my ability and love anc care for all of them. Your words have hurt. Please keep that in mind when you sit down tonight at your computer. Support your schools…you will see that in the end, that is what our kiddos need.
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I understand many points on this topic. I certainly can relate with many of non-school employees - who pay much more for insurance than they do; and make less.
I also believe that teachers are way underpaid - in some districts - for what they do. Many of them spend more time with our kids than some parents do. They also have to put up with unruly kids of unruly parents, a sue-happy society that can punish teachers for trying to improve their students’ learning experience through discipline or whatever… they also have the oncinuing education seminars that happen when kids aren’t in class - seminars and such that cover topics like: changes in policies from federal, state, or local leves; how to spot abuse, child psychology topics, behavioral topics, anti-bullying, academic updates, first aide, and other types of things.
I know many of them pay out of their pockets to make sure their students have enough supplies.
I think the 10/month for single and 30/month for family coverage of insurance just blew many of us away because we are all paying much more than that.
Seriously, given a choice; how many of us would say, “sure, take more money out of my check”?
But, there does need to be some fairness in who bears the burden on this; same as with city employees and their benefits. Taxpayers won’t likely support any levies unless they feel some fairness and more even distribution of the economic weight that we’re all under.
If the perception of the taxpayers is that the school board is taking; but not giving - they’d be hard-pressed to find support.
I’m sure there are ways to resolve this to some semblence of mutual satisfaction; but it would take a willingness to give a lil.
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I would love to be able to provide insurance for my family for $30 a month. My spouse and I both must carry individual policies with our employers and pay almost $300 together for the 2 of us, with deductibles of $250 and $500 on our policies. We have no school age children, nor do we have any grandchildren that live in the area, yet we continue to support the schools everytime there is a levy passed.
When are we going to wake up and realize that the taxpayers can’t continue to invest in the city on reduced and limited incomes. The problems today are not just limited to choices made by city managers, but to others that are only thinking of themselves and not how to help their neighbors. The days of guaranteed retirements, continued medical insurance for life from the employer are gone.
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To everyone complaining about teachers salaries, hours, benefits, etc:
Step back and take a look at what they do, then look in the mirror. Did you choose to go to college for 6 to 8+ years to get your Masters Degree? Did you choose to continue your education even after getting your job to better yourself and others - costing thousands and thousands of dollars out of your own pocket? Do you sacrafice everyday so other people’s children can have supplies, lunch, or even just someone to talk to??? I highly doubt it. Before you go blindly bashing teachers, maybe you should take a minute to look at what they ACTUALLY do. You may be jealous because they have better jobs and benefits than you - but look at what they have had to do to get there.
I’m not saying that teachers are perfect, and I’m sure that there are some that take advantage of the system. Teachers do not go into that profession by any means to get rich. Many teachers also have to work second jobs to support themselves or their families - just like you.
That said, I not a teacher myself, and agree that $10 a month is ridiculously low for health insurance. HOWEVER, I would have to imagine that it is what the school district agreed to in their last contract. Why would they volunteerily give that up - especially when they have routinely agreed to pay freezes to help the district (as they claim on here)? When the next contract comes up, I’m sure there will be changes, but in the meantime, blame the school board for giving them these benefits - not the under paid teachers who work everyday to help your kids achieve a better life for themselves.
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“also have the oncinuing education seminars ”
Ugh - I didn’t realise I’d made such a typo… that is supposed to say “continuing education”
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“Did you choose to go to college for 6 to 8+ years to get your Masters Degree? “
Yes
“Did you choose to continue your education even after getting your job to better yourself and others - costing thousands and thousands of dollars out of your own pocket? “
Yes. Who else’s pocket should it come from?
“Do you sacrafice everyday so other people’s children can have supplies, lunch, or even just someone to talk to??? “
Yes. I go to work to pay taxes for all the social programs this country has and for the salaries of the teachers.
As far as teachers losing the money they put into SS, I would gladly give up the money I put into it if it would mean I never have to pay it again. Already I’m going to get back less than what I put in and after they make the cuts in the next decade or so I’d get even less back. Take the nearly 7% taken out of my pay plus the 7% my employer pays add that to my salary and it will be very easy to save money for retirement.
I’ve taken pay freezes as well, except it was put this way. “Sorry business is slow this year there will be no raises.†I didn’t expect anything in return for not getting a raise. I didn’t say “No raise, well then can you lower my health insurance or keep it the same price?†I didn’t expect the teachers to vote to increase their health costs, not many people would do that. That’s what is so asinine about the whole situation, trying to solve to problems with solutions that will never happen. The choice that should be presented is, here is a list of health options and their costs, pick the one you want to chose not to have insurance.
People chose the careers they go into. You didn’t hear Mother Theresa complaining about her poor working conditions. Yes teachers are important, but everyone who becomes a teacher knew exactly what the working conditions were like before they went into that field. The old saying goes if you don’t like it leave, and unfortunately many potentially good teachers do end up leaving because of the way the education system is set up in America. The great teachers are held back while the bad teachers are propped up. The educational system needs to change, when it does the great teachers will be rewarded with the better benefits and pay they want and deserve, while the bad teachers will be let go. They just can’t be afraid to let go of the past and status quo.
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Chris H… I really loved your comment. My husband was in the same situation years ago when his company let many people go.. He took a pay cut to stay in the company. Yet in the end, it too left this area. So he did what he could. Now his current job is greatly paid, but what we pay out in insurance for our family is just nuts compared to what the district has the teachers pay. He did spend the 6 years in college for a Master degree, yet it doesn’t help him now with his current job. With this new job, he didn’t understand how his Insurance could cost so much figuring his past employement paid for his health, dental and vision coverage. Once we were married, that cost skyrocketed. Yet, he knows we need it, and continues to pay the almost $550 a mth for his family. And now knowing our eldest child has a heart condition, that insurance sure did come in handy. But the bills are still being paid, just like everyother American. And yes.. he gets the privlidge of contributing to SS, and other programs, but he doubts he will reap the rewards at retirement.
I hope that the district does come up with a plan, so that the teachers understand, it is all around this great country that they teach our children about. The economy stinks, yet we move on and each day deal with what we can, pay what we can and hope to be debt free in the future.
One comment was made by a teacher. If I was able to home school my child, I would. But I felt that he would do better in a School Enviroment. So, I am the parent that each teacher meets at the beginning of the year. I inform them, not be afraid to call me with any problem. I am the mother, and the nurse, the teacher, the tutor, the coach, the taxi driver, the lunch lady, the scholar in my home. Therefore, If anyone of the above is needed while he is in school. I will drop what I am doing, and be there. And now that it is at the end of the year.. They still Know that they can tell me anything at anytime. My son is currently home sick from school. (Was released early on Friday cause of being sick) But last night as I was checking my email, a teacher of his, sent me an email. “Hope he is feeling better, let me know if there is anything I can do.I am concerned with him, he is a joy to have in my class. - Teacher. So, they know it is a 2 way street in my family. His education is very important to me. And I AM AN INVOLVED PARENT
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Like Isu, I am also a teacher in the district and I want to piggy back on what he/she said. It is so disappointing to read all of the negative comments. I don’t think there is any other profession other than teaching, police work and fire fighting that is scrutinized like this. Why is this?
I suppose that there isn’t anyone out there that would understand the world of teaching unless they did it and I know plenty that would never even consider it.
Many of you have taken the time to tell us what you pay for insurance a month and how ridiculous it is for us to pay so little, but…..how many times over your career have you taken a pay freeze? I know of 3 that I have taken in the last 12 years.
How many times have you work extra hours without receiving compensation for it? Does your employer say, “I will pay you a salary of 49,5000 a year and you need to do the work during the 8:15-3:30 school day. If there is extra work to be done just do it out of the kindness of your heart.”? Now…they don’t actually say that, but that is how everything gets done.
*parent nights
*after 3:30 work (don’t know anyone in my building that leaves before 4:30ish)
*concert programs in the evening
*literacy nights
*movie nights
*planning and preparing the classroom from year to year
*early morning meetings with parents because they have to go to work (and yes some of us come in at 7:00 a.m. just to meet with a parent and no we don’t get paid to do that)
*coming in early to get lesson plans ready for the day (before 8:15)
*staying after to tutor the child that needs your help
*coming in early to tutor the child that needs your help
*personal phone calls conferences with parents, in the evenings, because that is when they are off.
*club meeting for children that are competing in math competitions
*music teachers that stay after to practice with kids that have parts in the music programs
And the list goes on and on and on…..And before someone says it, I will….No we don’t HAVE to do these things, but if we want the children’s educational experience to be a good one than we NEED to do these things. If we want to make the parents feel part of their child’s education then we NEED to do these things. If we want to be prepared enough to teach your children a full day of quality information then we NEED to do these things.
My sisters company pays overtime, as well as the police department, fire department, construction companies and the list goes on. If there was a time clock in the buildings and we were to get paid hourly, I am sure my salary would be well over $100,000 a year. And yes, my salary is $49,500 a year. That is with two different teaching degrees from 2 different colleges, as well as a Master’s Degree, from yet a third University and 12 years, in the district. I know many professionals that have the same type of college education and make much more for what they are worth, but again no one goes into education for the money. My point is that we do a lot more than we get credit for and then get slammed in the media. It is very disheartening.
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The Elyria School health insurance plan also forbids spouses from coverage in the plan if the spouses employer offers a healthcare plan. The family plan only covers children of school teachers. So teachers also have to pay into two health plans like everyone else. Like ISU said, a little patience goes a long way things will work out in the end. And this would be excellent advice for Mr. Rigda. His continued debate in the newspaper shows his weakness to trust his teachers and to trust his own abilities to negotiate this situation.
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VERY well said, WaitUntilNextYear!!!!
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“Many of you have taken the time to tell us what you pay for insurance a month and how ridiculous it is for us to pay so little, but…..how many times over your career have you taken a pay freeze? I know of 3 that I have taken in the last 12 years.â€
Wow must be nice to know you have a nearly guaranteed pay raise every year. So you received a raise 9 years out of 12, and you feel wronged for not getting the raise during those 3 years. Most people don’t know if they are getting a raise or what it will be until they receive it. Lots of people don’t receive raises at all. I haven’t seen what your contracts are like but from other union contracts I’ve seen they tend to give a big raise the first year of the contract with smaller yearly raises. And when things are given up when times are tight, they usually over compensate when times are good. So you may have a pay freeze now, but in the next contract or the following there will probably be a large raise in there to make up for it.
“How many times have you work extra hours without receiving compensation for it? … 8:15-3:30 school dayâ€
Everyday I put in more than a 7 hour and 15 minute day. I frequently put in 10-12 hour days and weekends with out pay above my salary. There have been times when I would have to wake up at 3am on Monday to get to the airport by 4 for my 6am flight to be out of town all week and not get back until 1am on Sat. just to do it again the following week. When you are salary you are paid to do the job not for the hours you put into the job.
I don’t think anyone here is being or trying to be disrespectful to teachers, I’m sure everyone agrees they do a very valuable job. My sister was a teacher before getting her masters in library science and she taught in the Cleveland public schools and she told me all kinds of stories that she’s experienced. Not just of the kids she was teaching but also about the kids parents as well. So I do have a knowledge base that is from the inside perspective and the Elyria schools are nothing like the Cleveland schools.
This isn’t about the teachers or the work they do it’s about the fact that the schools are funded by tax payers money. Many people didn’t vote for the levies because they can’t afford to pay more but others decided they should by passing them. There are blue collar workers who work 40-60 hours a week getting filthy doing back breaking work to make $30-50,000 who have to pay dearly for their benefits. They open the paper and see teachers complaining about being asked to pay more than $10 to $50 for their health benefits who are making nearly $50,000. They see that $8 million tax payer dollars are being spend on health insurance while they may not even have health insurance. And every couple years there is a renewal or levy increase to continue to fund the schools. And apparently any additional money won’t be to better the schools but to better the health benefits of the teachers. How does better health benefits result in a better education? So now levies will be voted down, but the healthcare costs will continue to grow draining money from actual education costs. Then the teachers come on here saying they deserve these benefits and if they don’t get them your children’s education will suffer, some how that just doesn’t seem right to me. It also doesn’t seem right that teachers like to take credit for when a student succeeds, but when a student fails it’s the parents fault not the teachers. Pay them more and they will try to do better, but no guarantees.
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Then the teachers come on here saying they deserve these benefits and if they don’t get them your children’s education will suffer, some how that just doesn’t seem right to me. It also doesn’t seem right that teachers like to take credit for when a student succeeds, but when a student fails it’s the parents fault not the teachers. Pay them more and they will try to do better, but no guarantees– Chris H…
How true.. I love hearing at evey conferance, “If you were more involved..” If I was more involved my child would be home schooled. LIke I said earlier.. My tax money goes to their salaries. So, I am paying these teachers to teach my child. Hence the idea of PUBLIC SCHOOL.. I honestly believe that as a tax payer, parent of a school aged child, we as parents should be allowed to vote on their issues. I do believe in fairness. I know that alot of teachers work hard everyday. They take time from their days to be at concerts, plays and sporting events. But they should be treated like every other American. Not held to a different standard.
A teacher brought up the Hours Worked w/ the extra activities they are part of. My husband leaves at 7:10am drops our son off at school and heads to work. Arrives by 8:15am, and returns home by 8:30pm every night, sometimes he doesn get home until after 9, but this is his job and what he is required to do. He doesn’t get “Teachers in Service days off” or 1/2 days like most. He is supposed to have 1 day off a week, but that seldom happens. He does work Monday through Saturday at least 12-14hrs a day. And there is never a negoition on his salary or contract. He is salaried. That means what ever is put into his “Contract” for that salary he must do. He can’t find to get lowered health care costs.. If there is a holiday during the work week, he knows he works later every night, and doesn’t get a day off. So, try living many other americans jobs for a week.. You will appreciate your job more. There is no harm in a little extra coming out of your pay, if it saves your job, you would do it.
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