No Teacher Left Behind?

Provo Educators Sue Over Cuts in Salaries and Benefits

By Amy Seigel, 9-30-05

The Deseret News reports that in Provo, Utah a group of 33 Provo School District employees (teachers and classified hourly workers) are suing their district, school board and other local and state organizations regarding the loss of health benefits and a corresponding decrease in salaries. According to the plaintiffs, school district administrators allayed concerns about a salary decrease by guaranteeing continued Medigap benefits, an insurance plan that helps defray the cost of medical expenses not covered by Medicare. However, employees argue that when it came time to examine the 2004-2005 contracts, they were faced not only with lower salaries but with no continued Medigap benefits, except for those few employees over 55 who have worked for the district for over 20 years. In its defense, the school district contends that the contracts were voted on and passed by a majority vote among PEA members, and that since there is no federal law in place requiring school districts to set aside sufficient funds to pay for such continued benefits, they were well within their rights to cancel the Medigap plan.

And indeed, it appears that the District is on solid legal footing. While there are “guidelines� recommending that state agencies think more long-term with respect to financing their employees post-employment benefits, there are no legal requirements. And while it may appear unethical for a school board to promise something it cannot deliver, it is not illegal; there is no law that states that they must continue to provide benefits they cannot pay for.

Whether or not the case is ultimately dismissed, the entire situation is a perfect example of the reasons well-educated professionals give when asked why they will not consider a career in teaching. How can we expect our nation’s best and brightest to choose teaching in the public school system over a career in the private sector when what we can offer them includes ever-decreasing salaries and empty promises regarding even the most paltry of benefits? If we ever want to improve public education in this country we must first make the need for lawsuits like this one obsolete.

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