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Retired LPSS educators could see large increase in health insurance premiums
The school board voted to approve a five percent premium increase to insurance plans for active employees and a 15 percent increase for retired employees.
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)-- Lafayette teachers and retirees could soon see an increase in their health insurance premiums; this comes after a big decision by the Lafayette Parish school board Wednesday.
The school board voted to approve a five percent premium increase to insurance plans for active employees and a 15 percent increase for retired employees. The increase would go into effect on July 1, if approved in the budget.
There would also be an increase in deductibles, effective January 1, 2025. In addition, the board approved a district mandate for Medicare Parts A and B.
Retired educators packed the school board meeting, eager to hear the vote.
"The salaries are not what they are in the private sector, and so insurance takes on a much greater importance," former teacher Nancy Mounce said.
The health insurance premium increase comes on the heels of a deficit LPSS's self-funded insurance program is facing.
"This has happened in previous years, and it's been taken care of. I think the retiree, like somebody said, was assured they would have insurance for the duration. I think we need to stick to that," Former Superintendent Burnell Lemoine said.
Lemoine said retirees gave many years of service to LPSS. He added they need to be taken care of, and he believes this plan is reasonable and will do that.
"These people have dedicated themselves for many, many, many years, and the system was very dear to them, and they supported it. So therefore, we need to support them in their most vulnerable years, which I'm part of," he added.
LPSS Superintendent Francis Touchet said it wasn't an easy decision, but he supports the board's vote to increase the health insurance premiums. He adds the board will do what they have to to make sure LPSS has a balanced budget.
"We are having a financial crunch in Lafayette Parish. We do have to scrub our budget, and we have to do everything we can. Insurance is one piece, but there's other things as far as loss of enrollment. There's things outside of that that we have to look at it, and as a totality, we have to make what's best for making sure that teaching and learning is happening in the classroom," Superintendent Touchet told News 10.