Illinois elementary school adopts lower cost health plan to save programs

New plan is adopted despite the absence of approval from the school workers’ union

Insurance News

By Allie Sanchez

Illinois school Streator Elementary will adopt a new lower cost health insurance plan for its employees following the unanimous approval of the school board.

The school will start open enrolment soon despite the absence of approval from the school district’s labor union.

An online report by The Times also said that the school board moved to approve the new plan in an effort to circumvent potential cuts in programming, which would have resulted in the termination of building secretaries and the removal of the art, music, band, and chorus programs.

Streator expects to save $750,000 under the new plan next year. Still, the Blue Cross Blue Shield policy will provide the same benefits, copay and deductibles and allows $72 savings for those who pay family contributions.

The publication also said that the school union did not approve the plan previously because it was holding out for concessions - among them written guarantees that there will be no further reductions at the school, and that support staff hired more than 10 years ago would be reinstated to full time status, which means they would qualify for insurance again.

Streator superintendent Matt Wilkinson explained to The Times that the school was unable to commit to these concessions because the state board may steer it in a different direction, depending on the state’s performance goals.

Open enrolment is set to commence upon the approval of the insurance committee.

 

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