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August 22, 2004Teachers wait for contractsAdministrators say insurance is deal-breakerByRecord-Eagle staff writer BEULAH - Teachers at Benzie County Central Schools say they're increasingly frustrated about year-long contract talks with district officials. "The board is completely entrenched," said Katherine Wolterink, chair of the English department at Benzie Central High School. "There has been no movement whatsoever." A contract covering 109 teachers expired in August 2003, superintendent David Micinski said. More than 100 other district employees also will start a new school year without a deal. The Benzie district is not alone. The Michigan Education Association represents almost 1,200 other teachers and support staff at six area districts in year-long negotiations - Leland, Traverse City, Buckley, Kalkaska, Mancelona and Elk Rapids schools. Teacher contracts at the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate, Forest Area, Suttons Bay and Frankfort-Elberta school districts also will expire by month's end. "It's unusual," Don Hakala, an MEA uniserv director, said. "It's the climate of the state economy. Because of the uncertainty, no one wants to lock in for a long period of time." Benzie teachers rejected an offer the district made in May. Micinski said it would have raised their average annual salary to $49,585. Insurance costs have been the biggest issue. "Our insurance this year has gone from $989 to $1,164 per teacher per month," Micinski said. "The total insurance increase for the teachers is $215,958 for one year through extending the existing contract." In order to alleviate the excess pressure on the budget, district officials proposed a 10 percent cap, meaning the district would cover the first 10 percent and teachers would be responsible for the remaining 7.7 percent increase. "We're asking teachers to pay $914 a year for a $13,973 health insurance program," Micinski said. Kathleen Betts, an MEA uniserv director, said the union rejected the offer because it's less than teachers worked for two years ago. "Teachers historically have had uncapped health insurance," she said. "We feel it's a benefit that keeps people healthy and keeps people working." Insurance also has been a deal breaker in the Leland district, where 35 teachers and 9 support staff haven't had a contract since September. "It's the same as everywhere else in the country," superintendent Michael Hartigan said. "it's the cost of providing quality insurance for our employees. We see 15 to 18 percent increases every year and they're budget breakers."
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