More than two dozen employees of the Southwick-Tolland Regional School District made it clear last night that they want a choice when it comes to health insurance.
The School Committee recently changed the insurance to a deductible plan in order to save the district, and in some cases, employees, money.
Some teachers said the new plan would be cumbersome and force many teachers to look for jobs in other districts.
“The way people have taken small raises over the years, they’re not going to be able to keep up with this,” said teacher Cindy Lamoureaux.
Lamoureaux said in addition to the current staff affected by the change, retirees on fixed incomes have expressed their concern to her and said they could not afford to pay the deductible, prescriptions, doctor visits and more.
“One person said ‘I should put a bullet to my head’ and that’s a direct quote from a retiree,” she said.
The deductible is $2,000 per year for a single plan and $4,000 per year for a family plan. In addition, there are costs to participants beyond the deductible for specialty care and things such as CT scans and MRIs.
One teacher, Janet Grunwald, said she recently had bilateral breast cancer surgery and said if she needs further treatment, she fears she cannot afford to remain healthy.
“All we’re asking for is a choice,” said Patricia Benoit. “Why is it so hard to give us a choice and why is it taking so long to give us a decision?”
Teacher Matt LaBlanc said he was “disappointed” that there had not been a response from the committee over concerns expressed last month.
A group of employees first voiced their concerns about the plan during a May 1 School Committee meeting. A week later, the committee met in executive session to discuss its options to meet the needs of employees expressed at the earlier meeting.
“Teachers in the district go above and beyond what is required from them,” said LaBlanc. “We’re asking you to reconsider and reopen this issue.”
Superintendent Dr. John Barry said that although the committee has not responded publicly to teacher concerns, they are working on a solution.
“You have expressed your concerns and the committee has received your message,” said Barry. “The work on this started two or three weeks ago but I cannot discuss it in open session.”
“There will be news the week of June 11 and we will get that out as effectively as we can,” Barry said.
