District, teachers agree to contract

Anaheim City School District teachers and district officials agreed to a contract for the 2003-04 school year during a special school board meeting last Thursday. The agreement comes a month after teachers rallied in front of district offices protesting increased health costs, saying they refused to sign new contracts. The dispute began after the district switched insurance plans from Blue Shield to Blue Cross. Both the California School Employees Association and the Anaheim Elementary Educators. Association reached a final settlement with the district that will cover more than 65 percent of health care costs, requiring teachers with families to pay $50 to $60 a month, depending on the coverage. "It isn't what we initially asked for, but it's definitely a compromise," said Carol Reinbolt, a third-grade teacher at Westmont Elementary School and president of the teachers' union. Reinbolt said teachers wanted to pay between $40 and $60, but the final settlement "is definitely a victory." "I'm very proud of our teachers. I'm glad they stood behind what they believed in," Reinbolt said. Before agreeing to a new contract, teachers with families were paying between $159 to $180 a month for health premiums, even though the district offered to pay 62 percent of the cost. With a 62 percent coverage, teachers with families would Background: Anaheim City School District teachers refused to renew their contracts in June because of health insurance increases that charged $159 to $180 a month for employees with children. The change was prompted by a shift to Blue Cross insurance coverage. The district offered to pay 62 percent of the charges, leaving employees with families to pay between $67 and $80 a month. The teachers wanted to pay betwefen $40 and $50 a month, leaving them to pay the full amount until an agreement was reached. What was settled: The Anaheim Elementary Education Association and the California School Employees Association ratified the collective bargaining agreement and teachers renewed their contracts. Teachers with families will now pay between $50 and $60 a month, depending on the amount of coverage. Currently: The district pays the health premium if the teacher opts for sole coverage. For those who chose Kaiser for insurance coverage, the district pays all costs, including for qualifying family members. "I'm very proud of our teachers. I'm glad they stood behind what they believed in." CAROL REINBOLT TEACHER S UNION PRESIDENT have had to pay between $67 and $80 a month, depending on the coverage. Rick Bagley, assistant superintendent of human resources, who serves as chief negotiator, is also happy with the result. "The process worked well and both sides are content," Bagley said. "The board set parameters and 1 had to make sure we worked within them." District officials said the final settlement would not place a financial burden on the district for the current fiscal year.