Panel to Study Insurance Costs at Danville Schools

There will be a bit of a break in contract talks between Danville teachers and the school district so a smaller panel can work on the cost of health insurance.

District 118 Superintendent Mark Denman says the district pays $5-million dollars a year in insurance, and keeps going up, hurting other benefits and the overall budget.

So members of the administration and Danville Education Association will re-activate the district’s insurance task force. 

Denman says the group will hold its first meeting Wednesday, and hold several more meetings over a month before union talks and district talks resume with a federal mediator in early March.

“I think that the conclusion is insurance is such a crucible variable in this equation that both sides think lengthy discussion, research, and study of the insurance component is well worth the time," he said.

The district recently approved a 3-year custodial contract with a small hike in insurance premiums each year of the deal.

District 118 talks with the DEA and federal mediator started this week.  The previous contract for Danville teachers and their assistants expired on June 30th.