ABOVE: DEA president Alan Rivers addresses the District 118 Board Wednesday evening.
Two employee benefit issues, both health related, made a big presence at the Wednesday (Jan 15th) evening Danville District 118 School Board meeting. Danville Education Association union president Alan Rivers addressed the board about the increased out of pocket costs for employees’ health insurance. Rivers said after the meeting that the situation is getting worse; and he wants the board to be aware that action is needed.
AUDIO: We need insurance relief from the board. Our individual and family premiums, we’ve had to raise very high.
Board president Dr. Randal Ashton says the district’s insurance committee, made up of both administrative and DEA personnel, is busy looking at this year ’round. Ashton says the current insurance deal is set for this school year. But yes, the future is open; and he understands the DEA members’ concerns. He says this is a problem that goes well beyond just District 118.
AUDIO: (They’ve been) hit with really astronomical increases in premiums; and there’s only a few choices that they have. So yes, as we go forward, I think all options are on the table; as far as different plans, different companies; whatever we can do to keep these costs under control.
DHS Science teacher Anna Kelly addresses the District 118 School Board about her health issue for the third consecutive meeting.
Once again, the District 118 Board heard from DHS Science teacher Anna Kelly, who suffers from major illness caused by an aggressive cancer gene that runs in her family. Her two main issues continue to be; one, not being allowed to use other employees’ sick leave time when hers runs out if they offer it; and two, that her request to change the policy is being placed on the backburner, or just completely ignored, by the school board. But Dr. Ashton says; one, this issue is completely separate from the overall health insurance issue; and two, it IS being talked about.
AUDIO: That’s a separate issue altogether, and we have had these discussions; and there’s work going on about that and discussions going on about that. That’s about all I can say on that.
The next District 118 School Board meeting is set for Wednesday, February 12th.
