Oklahoma health insurance for teachers has always been a hot topic, but recently in Oklahoma City, a budget was approved to only fund teachers’ health insurance for 10 months out of the year, rather than a full 12.  The Oklahoma Board of Education claims they have voted to fully fund teacher’s health insurance but the missing two months means a lot to the teachers receiving the health insurance.

This is apparently a measure to save money, and the Board feels they are fully funding the teachers for the months they work.  District officials are estimating that health benefits throughout Oklahoma will be about $33 million short of the funding required to offer quality health insurance benefits to state teachers.  Tim Green, the BPSD’s executive director of financial services does not consider the budget approval to include “full” health insurance coverage.  They believe the board falls short and something should be done to fix this.

With teachers only working 180 days out of the year, the Board feels they should receive paid benefits the days they are working.  Dewey Superintendent Paul Smith pointed out that teachers should be receiving coverage year round.  It only make sense.  Many officials are concerned that as the cuts keep piling up against teachers, financial hardships may arise.  Not only are the teachers affected, but the districts feel the effects and reduced funding impacts schools significantly.  Officials are going to work hard to ensure quality education is a priority, but saving money seems to be the hot topic throughout the state, and really the nation, when it comes to our public schools and health insurance in Oklahoma.

Written by Sam Tabes

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