After months of back-and-forth, the Orange County School Board has made its decision on employee health insurance, and many teachers aren’t happy with it.
On Friday, Nov. 13, the board approved higher health insurance costs for employees following an eight-hour special impasse hearing, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
What the Board Approved
Under the plan, teachers will get raises between 1.98% and 2.65%. However, health insurance premiums and deductibles will go up by more than that. Many teachers say the result feels like a pay cut.
The board voted 5-0 in favor, with Chair Teresa Jacobs and members Melissa Byrd, Alicia Farrant, Vicki-Elaine Felder and Maria Salamanca supporting the increases.
Why the District Says It Had No Choice
District leaders say the decision was about keeping the employee health insurance fund afloat. Officials say:
- Keeping current health benefits has been costing the district about $20 million a month.
- The district is facing a projected deficit of around $145 million.
- Under the new pricing, the self-insured health fund would be self-sustaining for the first time in a decade.
During the hearing, some suggested using money from the district’s Disney litigation funds to cover the gap. District attorneys advised against it, saying it wouldn’t solve the underlying problems with the health insurance trust and would only push the issue down the road.
How We Got Here
The dispute between the district and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association has dragged on for months. In October, the district rejected a special magistrate’s recommendations, saying they would add about $68.5 million in costs beyond its own proposal. The board then delayed a hearing scheduled for October after union attorneys raised legal objections, pushing it to Nov. 13.
Teachers React
Union president Clinton McCracken said he was disappointed with the board’s decision. The union has argued the district is solving its budget problems by putting the burden on employees. During the hearing, teachers shared stories about how rising medical costs are affecting their families.
What’s Next
The timing is notable. Four new School Board members are set to be sworn in on Nov. 17, and they’ll inherit the fallout from this decision along with a tight budget, falling enrollment and the search for a new superintendent.
For teachers and staff, the key question now is how much more they’ll pay each month and how soon the changes take effect. Employees should watch for official benefits updates from the district.