Willow Run school district pays 100 percent of teachers' health care costs
Teachers at Willow Run Community Schools will contribute $0 to their health insurance costs through the 2013-14 academic year, according to a report by the Michigan Capitol Confidential, a news service for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
The Willow Run teachers union signed its contract in 2010, before the law was passed.
According to the Confidential, the district agreed to pay 100 percent of employees’ health care costs in exchange for incremental pay cuts, which would increase from 2.5 to 4 percent by 2014.
"The contract length was tied to the concession, and it was before the deep cuts made to our annual state aid allocation,” said Superintendent Laura Lisiscki in an email to the Confidential. “Also, cuts made later at the federal level were just not anticipated back in 2010.”
Public Act 152, which mandates the 20 percent personal contribution rate, states the contribution requirement does not apply to employees of a union until that group’s contract expires.
If Willow Run Community Schools and the school district of Ypsilanti merge, which will be decided in November’s general election, both district’s collective bargaining agreements would be voided. At that time, the new combined district would be required to negotiate a new contract with teachers that met the stipulations of Public Act 152, including the 20 percent contribution rate.
Read the Capitol Confidential’s article here.
Read Public Act 152 here.
Danielle Arndt covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. Follow her on Twitter @DanielleArndt or email her at daniellearndt@annarbor.com.
Comments
stunhsif
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 1:16 p.m.
Both Ypsi and Willow Run are school districts parents are running from. They are two of the worst districts in the state. Merging two districts bleeding red ink is not going to work. And then we find out that teachers in Willow Run pay ZERO for health care. I don't care what percentage pay cut they have taken, this is ridiculous. We in the private sector have taken paycuts and have not had raises in years (myself since 2006). We also have high deductibles and pay anywhere from 50 to 150 dollars per week for medical insurance. We also have college degrees and advanced degrees just as the teachers do and we don't get two months off each summer and three weeks off during the school year. We also don't have healthcare for like nor do we have defined pensions as do these public sector workers. Why is it that we as your employers will never have what you have when it is our hard earned dollars that give you these entitlements ? I can assure these school districts that the taxpayers are not going to pass millages moving forward with information like this coming out. Go Green Go White
jns131
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
I told you folks the WR teachers and Ypsi teachers would need a new contract. Especially since WR will be closing this year and new teachers have to hired and/or rehired. You folks gave me negative points on that one. Happened to the bus drivers, is happening to the teachers. Good luck with that one. MEA drags its heals on new contracts.
walker101
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 1:31 p.m.
Government is building the foundation for all, this is part of the change, spread the wealth.
Ilovetoteach
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 1:14 p.m.
The teacher bashing makes me so sad. I work 6 days a week (I go in to school every Sunday to get set up for the week.) and put in 10 - 12 hour days. (I'm fortunate that my own children and grown and out of the house, so I am able to go into school at 7:30 and stay until 6:00 or 7:00 in the evening.) I spend my summer running things off, preparing materials, attending inservices and purchasing supplies for my classroom. My district doesn't have any money for workbooks so I have spent $2,000 buying math and literacy workbooks and dictionaries for my students. In addition, my family has donated crayons, pencils, paper, folders and glue sticks for my classroom. I have taken a 20% paycut and have higher copays. In spite of all of this, I am portrayed as the enemy.
snapshot
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 3:21 a.m.
Ilovetoteach, So you think all parents with children start work at 9? Many commute 1-2 hours to get to work. they put their kids in day care and Pay for it. That you don't realize this is a problem for me. Many non public employees do not have defined pensions, retirement medical care that covers themselves let alone their spouses, must work till 65 to get their pension, and many Amnericans would be happy with a 20% decrease in wages and just having medical insurance or a 40 hour work week. You as a teacher don't work 40 hours a week 12 months a year. Count your hours specifically not just give vague generalities. Use your math and quantify your extra work.40 million people have NO medical. Get a clue. You're obviously caught up in your own world where you discuss your work with other industry workers. Step out of your comfort zone. You are experiencing mild economic discomfort but many are economically devastated.
peachy
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:27 a.m.
I agree with you Ilovetoteach. However, I do not agree with several comments that you are a rare breed. In my district, MOST teacher are in at least 40 -60 minutes prior to students arrival and DO stay after school. MOST of us do work during the summer on new methods or the new common core. For those of you who think we are over paid, only work 9 to 5, and only work 180, you haven't been in a public school recently! Quit your complaining, and come in and offer some assistance! Most classes have over 30 students with no extra support. So, STOP your whining, and volunteer if you want to make a difference or SHUT UP!
GP
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:13 a.m.
Where I tend to be conservative in regards to teachers' pay and benefits - I must admit; What makes your job harder is the parents of children. You would not need to spend your own money if kids had involved parents.
BobbyJohn
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 10:49 p.m.
I appreciate what you do. We are lucky to have teachers like you. I feel that the vitriol being stated by some of the readership involves those of us who have had experiences with teachers who are NOT like you. There are too many teachers who don't do a good job, but are protected by the teachers union and the school administration. Teaching is a fine and noble profession, no doubt about it. However, the system does a disservice to the students and the community when they allow a teacher with tenure to coast for years, not imparting the requisite knowledge to their students. We need to have an EFFECTIVE way to fire teachers who don't teach. I know that those poor teachers are in the minority, but there are enough of them to require effective action.
jns131
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 2:50 p.m.
I commend you and you are a rarity to do this for your children. But in all reality? The teachers I have had to contend with? Have been combatant. Teachers do deserve more pay but in all reality? It is the administration that is taking what little you have left.
brian
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 4:30 a.m.
Teachers, pay your own way, don't like it quit.
sh1
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 3:29 a.m.
If anyone thinks Willow Run teachers have had a "free ride" over the last decade, they are showing their ignorance on what that poor district has been through.
Sue
Mon, Sep 10, 2012 : 3:09 a.m.
brian, it's because of the fed's "no child left behind" law that forces teachers to pass students who should be held back. Then the teachers in the next grade are forced to hold back their students who could excel in order to appease the department of education which says that there can only be a certain % (not exactly sure what it is offhand) difference between the performance of the top students and the performance of the bottom students in each grade level within each school district. So it's not teachers who aren't teaching, it's the DoE that will not allow teachers to encourage every student to do the best they can and to hold back those who aren't learning or aren't coming to class. Many times parents are also part of the problem, any child who is not going to school is committing truancy which is a crime, therefore it should be reported to the police as well as child protective services and the parents should be held accountable. If it's high school kids that the parents aren't able to control, they should be placed in juvenile with other law breaking minors where they can be forced to get an education. It's really unfair to blame the teachers when their hands are all tied by the all the government bureaucracy and mandates, plus they're not getting support from many of the parents. I believe most teachers really do care about their students and are doing the best they can with what they've got to work with.
snapshot
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 3:09 a.m.
Tiom Todd, so the unions oppose too much parental involvement when they have the legal right to intervene in district business but blame them for their failures. Nice to be able to have it both ways.
Tom Todd
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 10:51 a.m.
nice parenting?
GP
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 8:09 a.m.
"Poor district"? You mean Poorly Run District.
brian
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 5:01 a.m.
Let me tell you, I know of a kid a few years ago who missed over half of the school year. His name was Rocky. The teachers passed him just to get him out of their school. Well done Willow Run Schools.
ToddSaline
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 2:55 a.m.
How sad to see the ann arbor news echoing propaganda. I miss reporters and news.
jns131
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
This is not propaganda. This is the truth in reporting what really goes on inside WR. Trust you me, I can't wait to see WR close and a new staff go in. Been needing it for a long time.
raberwhitetail
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 3:19 a.m.
Why is it propaganda?
raberwhitetail
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 2:36 a.m.
I am sorry if the truth hurts but teachers are going to have to face the same reality the private sector is facing.....Our government has allowed many of our jobs to be sent to foreign country's and this is going to affect you teachers now. We the once working tax payers can not afford to keep paying for teachers to retire at 50 and live on our tax dollars for the rest of their lives while we lose our homes and dignity. This is catching up to all government employee's now even though they never thought it would......that is why I say you will need to face reality now.......sorry.
raberwhitetail
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 3 a.m.
How sad to see you caught on the bad side of this.......time will heal your wounds but the truth does hurt.
tom swift jr.
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 1:43 a.m.
this is not news... the point of this is?
brian
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 5:03 a.m.
To make us feel sorry for teachers who don't really care. They want a paycheck and that's all.
YpsiGirl4Ever
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 3:36 a.m.
What I am trying to figure out is the Mackinaw Center is a right wing think tank. In the effort of full discourse, it seems that somewhere in this article, it would state this.
raberwhitetail
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 12:35 a.m.
Face it teachers......the free ride is over....we the tax payers, your employers, are not going to keep throwing money away and getting such poor results from it. Time to join the real world, which you have helped create, and face reality. You can do just what the rest of us have to do and move out of state if that is what gets you better wages and benefits. Good luck.
snapshot
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 3:04 a.m.
EOM, your union leaders blame all financial institutions and their employees, You're OK with dishing it out but just can't take it. I think both institutions have failed the citizens. We concerned citizens are taking action because neither industry can self police itself. You're upset just like the financial institutions are upset with further regulation reining in their power. We're doing the same for education and holding you more accountable. Of course you have problems with that because you're going to be expected to do more, better, and at a reasonable cost. If you think you are worth more, go into finance.
Basic Bob
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 6:42 p.m.
@Dog Guy, you are clearly NOT a teacher or you would consider yourself a professional. HA!
raberwhitetail
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.
I am sorry if the truth hurts but teachers are going to have to face the same reality the private sector is facing.....Our government has allowed many of our jobs to be sent to foreign country's and this is going to affect you teachers now. We the once working tax payers can not afford to keep paying for teachers to retire at 50 and live on our tax dollars for the rest of their lives while we lose our homes and dignity. This is catching up to all government employee's now even though they never thought it would......that is why I say you will need to face reality now.......sorry.
Dog Guy
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 1:54 a.m.
Practicing a profession involves risk and expenses: office, equipment, staff, insurance, business taxes et cet. Because I do not like risk or expenses, I became a teacher and have lived happily ever after on others' taxes. Being a professional also involves hard work, to which I am averse.
peachy
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 1:44 a.m.
Please tell us when was the last time you set foot in a public school classroom? You have no idea what it is like or how hard teachers, students and staff work. All we ask for is a little respect and a wage we can live on. Any time you want to change professions with me, PLEASE feel free to stop in.
eom
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 1:28 a.m.
Wow. Free ride, that's really how you think teachers live? I am amazed that people are so convinced that we single handedly are responsible for every economic problem facing our nation. I get it, everyone hates the union. I get it, everything thinks teachers work 9 months a year and only from 9-2. I get it, everyone thinks it's our fault that kids aren't performing. I get it, I have Cadillac benefits and I just babysit children. It won't matter what I say to defend my PROFESSION - not job - PROFESSION. You believe what you believe. While you do, I will be working my butt off in order to give every single one of my kids EVERYTHING I can - despite people like you who insult me and what I do.
Ralph
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 1:01 a.m.
Real nice comments!!
snapshot
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 11 p.m.
Cuts not anticipated in 2010? Give me a break. They slid this contract throough under the wire. This is why there is so much opposition to unions. Teachers should be educating their union leaders that no one likes to be used as a financial lifeboat while getting less and less for their tax dollars.
Basic Bob
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 2:10 p.m.
Sorry, TT. The billion dollars went to middle class small business owners. Not the wealthy. Please stop the class division.
Tom Todd
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 11:50 p.m.
billion dollar tax break for businesses on the backs of the middle class of course those in the middle class get hurt for these businesses who have brought no jobs to the economy hence less revenue for public sector jobs which does have a negative impact on the economy and housing values. Snyder knew what he was doing.
Townie
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
Don't expect any hard hitting 'studies' on tax rates for Michigan millionaires or a hard look at SPARK from the Mackinac Center for Rightwing Study. But public employees are definitely on their radar. The enemy and the reason for all our economic problems. Yup, Wall Street and criminal banks didn't have anything to do with the mess (nor the Bush tax cuts). These are trade off negotiated deals - the old 'we'll skip any raises for the next 5 years but we'll keep the 100% medical coverage'. The Mac loves this stuff.
snapshot
Sun, Sep 9, 2012 : 2:54 a.m.
sh1, the 1% wouldn't make a dent in the pension deficit this country faces for public employees unions. You are so worried about the 1% but somehow don't appreciate how good the 7% of public employees have it compared to the 92%. Like I said, the 1% are paying there own way, you just want them to pay your way too. I get it. Why do you resent the other 92% for wanting you 7%'rs to give something back to us?
sh1
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 4:10 a.m.
Maybe, snap, it could come by the "1%" paying taxes commensurate with what teachers pay.
snapshot
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 11:04 p.m.
The 1% are paying their own bills..........public unions are using tax dollars. That "unfunded" public burden is 58 billion dollars in Michigan alone. You have any "unbiased, common sense" suggestions on where the money will come from?
Tom Todd
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 10:30 p.m.
read the article! before you comment, this law states once the contract expires. is this submitted to get people riled up? I don't believe all residents of michigan make the same or less then teachers, there healthcare/ is the bonus/stock option/A plan/ icing on the cake.When the economy turns around lets not forget to increase teachers pay since they are getting the shaft now for the class war fare folks, who insist everyone in the middle class obtains the same compensation.
Mike
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
Yeah, they really are getting the shaft good pay for 9 months of work plus holidays, 100% health care, pensions, and the ability to retire earlier than most who pay their wages; they're really getting shafted................
GP
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
@JohnnyA2 - Regarding coming in early/staying late, giving up pay and working harder; been there done that and so has everyone else (except Wallstreet and the banks). I've also given up low out-of-pocket medical costs, and I've worked for free just so I could keep my job.
GP
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 5:20 p.m.
@BenWoodruff My Ignorance? I'm sure your wife is a fine teacher, but teaching is not the only job where you have to come to work early and sometimes stay late. Your comment to me is offensive to all salaried workers who don't get 2 weeks off for Christmas, a week off for Spring, a week off for mid-winter break and 2.5 months off for summer. Your comment is offensive to all the hourly workers who are lucky to get sick time and haven't seen a vacation in years and are lucky to make 2/3 of what your wife makes. Your comment is offensive to all private sector workers who don't get health insurance, or retirement, or have insurance co-pays that eat most of their paychecks. Not even state and county employees enjoy the same benefits as teachers. So before you call me ignorant, think about how you are being offensive to all the other hard working people out there.
johnnya2
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 4:15 p.m.
@GP, I guess you must have failed at math. Most school districts get out in June and start in early September for the KIDS. The teachers stay later and star earlier, but don;t let facts get it he way of your right wing propaganda. They LEGALLY negotiated a contract. Are you against legally negotiated contracts? I wonder how many times you tell your boss, I think I will take a pay cut, and do more work. The fact is, teachers, and firefighters, and police are the core of the middle class. The salaries they make goes into businesses like restaurants, movie theaters, book stores, car dealerships, department stores, supermarkets, gas stations etc.
raberwhitetail
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 11:44 a.m.
And what do you do to earn a living Ben?
BenWoodruff
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 11:16 a.m.
GP, I'm really tired of that crap. My wife finished June 9, spent much of the summer preparing for this school year. She returned on August 14 for Inservice training, but had already been in the school since August 7 setting up her room. This week she got to school no later than 7:30, the kids start at 8:45. She got home no earlier than 7:00, one evening it was 9:00 pm, and she still reviewed spelling lists. the sad thing about your criticism is your ignorance.
GP
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 8:06 a.m.
Really? I think working less than 8 months a year is a big enough "perk"
Skyjockey43
Sat, Sep 8, 2012 : 12:18 a.m.
Oh yes, let's increase teacher's pay and benefits. Especially if the result is such poor grammar skills evidenced by your post.
snapshot
Fri, Sep 7, 2012 : 11:18 p.m.
I think it's a good idea to tie all public employee salaries to revenue streams.......when revenue goes down, salaries go down and when they go up salaries go up. No more millages or tax increases. When operating at a deficit it's considered a loan and interest is due in addition to decreased salaries to pay the debt. I'm with you Tom Todd but of course I don't think that's what you really meant in your biased statement.