July 22,2010

During talks Wednesday night, a local school board offered the teachers union a $1.3 million cost-savings option that would not impact employees by self-insuring the district’s prescription plans, officials said Thursday.The school's insurance broker estimates that would reduce the district’s Pharmacy costs by $1.3 million next year, with similar savings the following years, school board members said.

The district needs the consent of the Federation of Teachers to put the option into effect. The board noted there was little reaction or comment from the teachers union in regards to employees contributing towards health care premiums at the session.

The federation offered no counter proposals, but another negotiation session has been scheduled for Aug. 12, according to a statement the school board posted on the district’s website. The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching teacher union President for comment Thursday.