Beth Rumsey, Staff Writer

The Jac-Cen-Del Educators Association and the Jac-Cen-Del School Board met on Tuesday, November 25 to report to the Indiana Education Employment Relations Board fact-finder James Dworkin, concerning issues of salary, insurance, extracurricular and annuities.

According to Ernie Ruble, teacher’s representative to the JCD Insurance Consortium, the insurance rates have increased by 10% in January 2008, and expected to increase an additional 8% in January 2009. This increase in insurance rates has been paid by the teachers.

Currently, the board pays $363 a month towards a single insurance plan and $680 a month toward a family insurance plan. The association proposes the corporation pay $418 a month for a single plan, and $788 a month for a family plan.
Board representative Larry Eaton agrees that insurance is a critical issue. He said there are 17 teachers in Plan A, what he calls the platinum insurance plan. He advises all teachers to enroll in Plan C, which would give substantial savings to the teachers and the school corporation.

Basing a model on a moderate plan user, which would include six office visits and 12 prescriptions, Plan A would cost the teacher approximately $3204 for a year and Plan C would cost approximately $2568 for a single insurance plan.

The same would apply to the family plan, according to Eaton. A moderate family plan user would incur approximately $11,592 for Plan A and $9834 for Plan C. He said the savings could be used in the form of salary.

James Singer, presenting for the JCD Educators Association, said that the salaries should remain competitive within the county. According to Singer, information from the Indiana Education Employee Relations Board website shows that JCD beginning salaries rank last in the area.

According to Singer, funding for 2008 is projected to increase by approximately $195,341 as well as additional funding from all day kindergarten. The association proposes a salary increase of 3.15% with the board offering an increase of 1 5/8% increase.

“The board respects the teachers,” said Eaton. “They are the corporation’s most important asset.” According to Eaton, the teachers are well paid compared to the community with the median annual income in the county as $47,019 for a family; $34,055 for a single male; and $23,610 for a single female.

JCD enrollment at the beginning of 2008-2009 school year was down by 44 students, according to Eaton. Corporation revenue is based on enrollment. Funding amounts are uncertain for the 2009-2010 school year due to changes in legislation.

Eaton believes the 2008-2009 board proposal to be fair. “The board has an obligation to protect your income, as well as have adequate funds to pay the bills when they are due,” he said. Increased fuel and utilities cost were considered in the board’s proposal. “These are tough times,” he continued, “and we have to tough it out.”

Other contract disputes include the corporation’s contribution to the 401(a) account. The association proposes a 1.25% increase in the corporation’s contribution in Article VI, J which will benefit all teachers. Also, in Article VI, K the association proposes a 1% increase, where the board proposes a 1.25% increase in contributions. According to Singer, the amount paid out by the corporation would be reduced at retirement.

The association believes that the increased contribution to the 401(a) specified in Article VI, J benefits all teachers. According to Singer, the board’s proposal benefits the younger teachers and reduces liability for retirement benefits for veteran teachers.
The final issue presented to the fact-finder was for a 2.5% increase in salary for driver’s education teachers with the board’s proposal being 1 5/8%.

Dworkin will review the information and will make recommendations. A report will be given to the Indiana Education Employee Relations Board, as well as the JCD Educators Association and the JCD board as soon as possible.