Moses' family also will receive full health benefits. However, trustees did cushion the blow by contributing more money toward the employee health plan. The district's health insurance costs increased after administrators failed to negotiate a new contract or shop for a new insurer. Trustees said the district was left with no choice but to accept a temporary HMO Blue contract with higher rates. Teachers feel spurned because they have provided stability for the district as it's gone through repeated turnovers in administration and discord among trustees, said Roy Kemble, president of Classroom Teachers of Dallas, a union representing 2,200 educators.
Teachers feel . . .
Zornes said he does not believe many teachers will stay home or quit the district because of the problem. That will take a bite out of the teacher pay raises. About 70 percent of 19,000 Dallas Independent School District employees take the district insurance. About 400 have the more expensive preferred-provider plan. The board extended the contract with the district's insurer for a year, which gives administrators time to seek lower premiums with another company.