By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
A group of teachers made it clear Monday night that they are not happy the Burlington Area School District is passing increased health insurance costs onto them in the form of higher premium payments.
But that didn’t prevent the School Board from approving the plan for next school year.
The vote passed 5-2, with Jim Bousman and Rosanne Hahn dissenting.
The district experienced a 9.5 percent increase in health insurance costs, mostly because of high-expense claims this year, as reported by insurance representative Dan Martin recently.
Monday’s meeting was packed with teachers, though only a handful spoke. The teachers spoke of a changing culture within the district, as teachers are not getting wage increases that keep up with cost of living – which include the rising cost of insurance.
“I don’t know how long it can be continually absorbed by the teaching staff,” said BHS teacher Josh Dow, who also pointed to larger class sizes and less prep time for teachers.
He also expressed frustration that teachers were not informed about the changes to the insurance policy.
Fellow teacher Jeremy Fitch added, “We found out mostly about these changes through the newspaper, which is extremely disappointing.”
School Board Member Phil Ketterhagen, who is also an insurance agent, said the HSA options – if used properly – can be an effective tool to keep costs down not only for the district, but for employees. And fellow Board Member Roger Koldeway added that most aren’t paying those full out-of-pocket amounts each year.
Ketterhagen did draw some scoffs from the audience, though, when he said “a $6,000 bill is not going to bankrupt you. It will hurt.”
Hahn expressed concern that putting the full cost on the teachers was a big jump in one year, and Bousman called the plan for insurance “fiscally shortsighted.”
The district’s health insurance plan offers three different insurance options:
• An HSA option with a $3,000 individual deductible and a $6,000 family deductible, including 100 percent coverage in network and 70 percent out of network.
• The current HSA model with a $1,500 single/$3,000 family deductibles and the same coinsurance, but with monthly premium contributions of $45.60 single or $127.87 family.
• The current PPO plan, with a $250/$500 deductible, 100/70 co-insurance and various co-pay amounts. Monthly premium payments from employees are $112.39 for single and $314.02 for family.
-
-
-
-
-
There are a few things about this article that are interesting. First, this is a perfect example of why Rosanne Hahn should not have been reelected to the board. She is a former teacher and is not looking at this with an objective viewpoint with the taxpayers in mind, she is basically a rubber stamp for whatever the teachers want. I guess that is why a handful of them were working so hard to get her reelected.
Second, poor old Josh Dow has to choose from $0, $127.87 & $314.02 monthly premiums with deductibles that range from $6,000.00 to $500.00. Many people, including myself, would jump at the opportunity to have those choices for health insurance. I don’t begrudge him making a decent living and providing for his family, but Josh Dow’s gimmie, gimmie, gimmie attitude is what drives a lot of the hard feelings that are focused toward teachers in our state’s current hyper political atmosphere. Josh Dow, take a look at all of your awesome toys parked in the driveway of your beautiful home and then drive around Burlington and look at some of your fellow citizens homes, these are the people that have to bear the brunt of additional tax increases so you can continue to live large. Many of them are struggling just to make their mortgage payments and certainly don’t have extra money to buy boats and campers, etc.
So basically Aaron, if someone has something better than you, then it’s not fair, and they should suffer? I suggest you move to a socialist country then. Everyone would be equal.
I am not an educator, but I am a taxpayer and I’m smart enough to know that teachers have to take at least 4 years of college before they even think of getting a job. After that many of them take an additional 2 or 3 years to get a masters degree to make them more marketable.
Aaron, if you think that teachers make so much money, then I suggest that you pay to go to college for 6-7 years, and then attempt to get a job. Maybe BASD will hire you. Then if you want you can complain about the lavish lifestyle that the teachers lead.
If you are simply unhappy with your job, and your salary, then I’m sorry to say it, but that is your own fault. Your previous decisions led you to this point in your life. Don’t attack others based on your failures.
I’m also smart enough to know that many young families move to communities that have good schools. Good schools are founded upon good teachers. Having good schools (good teachers) raise property values, and cause more people to move into the community and lower taxes for all. That is just common sense, but some people are to close-minded to see that. Unfortunate but true.
Aaron, I would happily welcome a discussion with you in person. As for my “gimmie, gimmie, gimmie attitude” that you refer to, I think you may want to get to know me a little better before making such assumptions. Since you know where I live, feel free to stop by so we can talk more.
“gimmie gimmie”… maybe what Aaron means is that he applauds you for trying to get the compensation package that your employer can offer?
Aaron maybe you should save up some money and buy your own boat, then you wont have to be such a whiner. Don’t be jealous, just be lucky you don’t live next to Bill Gates.
I’m sorry you don’t have a boat Aaron. I’m not sure how that is Mr. Dow’s fault however.
Rosanne Hahn has dedicated her life to education and now to educational leadership. She is an independent minded person who was elected and re-elected because she is respected and appreciated by her community. Roseanne and Josh Dow, as well as every professional educator in this community deserves our respect. This mind-numbingly senseless attack on educators is damaging our educational infrastructure. I would challenge you, if you are going to make personal attacks that are so hateful and petty, to use your (real) full name.
Even though I vote republican, I’m disgusted at how some in the party have made it acceptable and even encouraged teacher bashing like Aaron is doing. It is not acceptable!
Teachers provide the community a service, and I have no problem paying them. Just in the same way I have no problem paying a plumber! Yes, I know teachers are paid with tax money, but if you feel that you’re life is not good enough, and it is all because of teachers, your mind is warped!
There are so many reasons why you don’t have a boat, Aaron, and I can guarantee that teachers are very far down on the list of those reasons.
The issue is not paying them a decent salary it is the constant complaining when they are faced with reality. They initially complained when they had to pay anything towards insurance. Then complained when they had to contribute minimally to a quite generous pension. These are things most people have been doing for years. The term sustainability is wore out but its pretty much what we are talking here. The previous benefit package was not realistic and they are now finally being addressed.
The thing is the package offered now is still pretty good.
It is odd how there are many,many state workers affected by the law changes but the most complaining is coming from one group, the group probably the best off out of all of them. The group that works 8.5 months per year
Bill check your facts. Perhaps you should invite a few teachers over for dinner and try to understand what teachers really do and how hard they really work. I don’t know of a single teacher who works for 8.5 months only and gets paid for twelve. When do you think teachers do their curriculum and lesson planning? Education ranks among the top 10 U.S. services exports. Higher education remains one of America’s most sought-after services and American universities benefit from the influx of foreign students attending. We are fortunate to have excellent standards of education. Unfortunately the Walker inspired assault on education, which has inspired the comments we see here, is undermining the very foundation of that essential export, primary and secondary education. We cannot continue to lose excellent teachers in our community.
Mervin, you make perfect sense. Unfortunately some people live in a different reality, and cannot comprehend things that make perfect sense.
I know a few teachers. They are not part of the complainers, they know they are still doing fine. So maybe they work extra here and there. Who doesn’t?
They don’t work June, July, August, xmas break, spring break and assorted other days off. Typically workday is about 8 to 3:30 or 4. Its not a horribled gig which is why people wonder why there is all this complaining. I am sure the job has its challenges but that is why some chose the field. I think some of the negative opinion of teachers was brought on by all of the protesting and childish/slobbish behavior in Madison, or when certain lawmakers left the state etc. It kind of opened peoples eyes. It was brought upon themselves.
Thanks Aaron for nailing this right on the head! This is not at all about a minimal tax increase… this is about jealousy.
I have a boat and a camper too. I must be overpaid, and selfish. Or……… maybe, like Mr. Dow, maybe, I value time spent with my children on a campsite, or on a lake. Like Mr.Dow, I bought my awesome toys with my hard earned money.
It is not the teacher’s fault, other taxpayers fault, or the school board’s fault that there are plenty employers out there that are not compensating their employees fairly.
The bottom line is this….. most people that can afford “awesome toys” work somewhere that sees value in having them as an employee. (probably because they are well educated, and do a good job).
Aaron, I am not sure what your story is, or where you are in life…. but I am pretty sure Josh Dow and his lavish lifestyle are not directly responsible for it. My advice to you would be to worry more about yourself, and less about what is parked in your neighbor’s driveway.
good o’l Josh don’t seem to be too bright to have all those boats and campers and big houses cause he spends all his free time grading papers and working hard for all the public school kids – not his own, plus he’s gotten huge paycuts and had his pension ripped apart so he cant save no money
at least, that’s what the paper and my social studies teacher told me
To All,
I am Old and trying to protect my life. We have no option but to pay the price of health care, I do not think it is proper for you to not pick up the slack as the seniors who have done in the past and
and cannot support your “Family” insurence anymore.
Johnny taxpayer, it is not about jealousy it is about sustainability. In the case of public employees the taxpayers are the employers, and the employers (taxpayers) cannot sustain constant increases for a few select employees (teachers) without putting the entire company (community) at risk. I also stated that I do not begrudge him making a decent living and supporting his family, I just asked him to reflect on his good fortune before demanding more at the expense of his neighbors in the community. So I guess what you’re trying to say is that as long as he gets his, and you get yours, the hell with the rest of the community. Is that what you are trying to say?
Judging from the tone and rage of your comment, I suspect you too are one of the educators that feel they deserve more. The reason I say “one of the educators” is that I believe there is only a minority in the gimmie crowd and that the majority understand the situation.
You are not an employer, you are a stock holder. Like a stockholder, you do not tell the employees what to do, and you do not negotiate their work terms.
You were just asking Josh to “reflect” on his good fortune?
I wonder if you and the “majority” get your way, and you drive all good teachers out of this town….I am curious what you will have to say if the share price ( your real estate value) goes down? Will you be able to sell your stock, and leave town? Or will you then be posting on this forum about your inability to sell your home because of the lack of schools, and businesses in this town.
I am guessing you are also against the minimum wage keeping up with the cost of living?
I am not an educator, and I am really not sure if I am a member of the “gimmie” crowd.
Johnny taxpayer, life is too short to spend too much time communicating with someone as bitter and jaded as you seem to be, so this will be my last comment on this. You could definitely use the analogy that the taxpayers are the shareholders of the business, which would make the school board the board of directors. The board of directors is elected by the shareholders and if they do not perform in the shareholders best interest they are removed. That brings us full circle in this case since the board of directors did what was best for the shareholders, despite the objections of a few minority stakeholders.
You also infer that the disgruntled teachers are the only “good teachers” in BASD and that if they leave the school system will fail to exist. I’m sorry, but that is a completely delusional and inflated perspective of your individual value. BASD is projecting major contractions of the future student population in Burlington and as that happens there will be less teaching positions available, hopefully that will be when the less motivated and disgruntled teachers will be weeded out.
Lastly, you are most definitely an educator, why deny it, do you think that gives you more credibility, Johnny taxpayer?
Bitter and jaded? Honestly Aaron, I am not sure what I said that was bitter and jaded. I an angry because it seems that the new norm is this…..every year employers have to give employees less health care coverage because of the high costs of health care, and also less pay… that’s just the way it has become…. and employees are left to either quite, or accept it.
what are we left with? Jealous and angry folks like Aaron who cannot afford the things others can.
This is why the public school is losing students. Lots of families don’t want the local union hack like Josh Dow trying to brainwash their kids for his own benefit. You have to not only teach them yourself but deprogram them from the crap the union tells him to shovel out.
Lots of good teachers in that school system that don’t subscribe to that selfish rhetoric. If they could weed out the Dow-types and pay the good ones more things might turn around.
I’m wondering if your accusations are based on something that you actually experienced? or you just like to spew nonsense?
Where you brainwashed?
The insurance options offered are pretty good in my opinion.
To be able to pay 314 per month for a family with a $500 deductible is pretty nice.
I think what Aaron was saying is enough with the whining. This is still cheaper than a lot of people are paying. The situation with teachers is they’ve been living under this umbrella and now the real world is creeping in. These rates are pretty good but they wouldn’t even know that. Same with pensions. I can’t imagine only putting in 5% towards a full pension an retiring in my 50’s. But they complained about that also. Then with the wages, the teachers with the Masters degree making 70+k say if they worked in the business world they’ be making more, well probably yes if you worked 12 months per year and had no spring breaks or Christmas break you would. Equate that salary with actual days worked you are at a 6 figure teacher.
Before we here the old college bla bla , yes I have a college education and a good job, my benefits are decent but not as nice as offered with BASD but I think they are OK. Bottom line teachers should be paid well and should have good benefits and it seems a lot of them do. So please don’t complain when things that everyone else has to deal with happens to you.
I think a lot of people look at the $70,000 that the highest paid teachers receive and think all teachers make that amount of money. As was said earlier, these are the teachers with years of experience and whom have achieved their master’s degree. Let’s not forget about new teachers coming into the district that are making $30,000 to $40,000 per year, with no real guarantee for a wage increase beyond the point of inflation, and no guarantee that furthering their education will result in a wage increase. A lot of commenters are trying to keep this to the so called “real world”, but those in the real world have a chance for advancement, pay raises for performance, etc. How come the school district has implemented a “performanced-based pay structure” as of yet? For the teachers at the low end of the pay scale, these insurance increases are a big part of their salary. Unfortunately, a lot of people are near sighted in terms of this. They see the max pay, and that is it. These “max pay” teachers will retire at some point, and who is going to be willing to take on these teaching jobs when the benefits aren’t great and there is no documented way for a pay increase? i know I wouldn’t. In the so called “real world” where I am employed, I have a Professional Development Plan (which all teachers in the district have as well), and if I achieve these goals, there a pay increases and job advancement available. The school board and district need to get something similar implemented.
You are correct but everyone starts at the bottom and everyone pays for insurance regardless of wage or job level. That is a fact in any occupation. Bottom line is these insurance premiums are not horrible no matter what your job is.
You talk of “real world” and no chances for advancement in schools. Maybe that is the price you pay for the ability to retire at a young age without having the funding coming mostly from your own check? It all balances. Just don’t gripe about a fairly decent insurance plan.
Sorry, the above comment should state “hasn’t implemented a performance-based pay structure”.
The teachers are a bunch of whiners!!!!! They should freeze the pensions and eliminate it for all new teachers and there will still be plenty of people willing to be teachers.
These comments are AWESOME! We should be proud of what we have become. Anon. calling others out and stalking their driveways to see what they own. Nice.
Cliff notes version– “I deserve police/fire protection, my poo to flush to the city sewer, and my kids to get a great education and I don’t want to pay for it.”
After Act 10, school taxes and pensions are the least of our worries..but hey lets keep kicking that to death…or until we become Alabama schools.
E…. You hit the nail directly on the head….
E your cliff notes version pretty well hits the nail on the head. What a sad society we’ve become when it becomes OK to call people names and criticize them. The even sadder fact is that some people feel they have the RIGHT to call others names simply based on one’s profession.