Orange County Public Schools says it is working to balance rising health care costs while offering teacher’s salary increases, but the teachers’ union argues many educators could see less take-home pay under the district’s proposal because of significantly higher insurance premiums.The debate comes as the district and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association continue contract negotiations ahead of a July 22 deadline.A major point of contention is the proposed increase in health insurance costs for teachers who cover their families.Former Orange County Public Schools teacher Niki Conti said the district’s proposal would increase annual premiums for the current family health insurance plan from about $5,600 to nearly $17,000.”I’m a little concerned that teachers didn’t have enough time to prepare for this with the hikes that are going to take place,” Conti said. “You’re looking at more than triple the amount that we’ve ever paid.”The district has proposed salary increases of 2.65% for teachers rated “highly effective” and 1.98% for those rated “effective.” The proposal also includes a one-time $750 supplement if an agreement is reached by July 22, along with a zero-premium health insurance option for employee-only coverage.However, Orange County Classroom Teachers Association President Clinton McCracken said the proposed insurance costs would effectively reduce teachers’ earnings.”Florida ranks 50th in the country in average teacher pay, and now the district has proposed a health insurance plan that would simply be unaffordable for our teachers,” McCracken said. “They’re already struggling currently. And what this would mean is an average 7% pay cut, and they can’t afford that.”Orange County Public Schools officials said they recognize the rising cost of family health coverage and are attempting to provide employees with multiple insurance options.”We do know that spouse coverage, family coverage is continuing to go up,” Chief Communications Officer Scott Howat said. “And to offset that cost and have every employee offset that cost is difficult. We know that there are personal choices that they need to make.”District leaders said the proposal includes multiple coverage options designed to help employees manage higher insurance costs.Negotiations are expected to continue ahead of the July 22 deadline. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement by then, teachers would no longer be eligible for the proposed $750 one-time supplement, although contract talks would continue through Florida’s impasse process

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —

Orange County Public Schools says it is working to balance rising health care costs while offering teacher’s salary increases, but the teachers’ union argues many educators could see less take-home pay under the district’s proposal because of significantly higher insurance premiums.

The debate comes as the district and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association continue contract negotiations ahead of a July 22 deadline.

A major point of contention is the proposed increase in health insurance costs for teachers who cover their families.

Former Orange County Public Schools teacher Niki Conti said the district’s proposal would increase annual premiums for the current family health insurance plan from about $5,600 to nearly $17,000.

“I’m a little concerned that teachers didn’t have enough time to prepare for this with the hikes that are going to take place,” Conti said. “You’re looking at more than triple the amount that we’ve ever paid.”

The district has proposed salary increases of 2.65% for teachers rated “highly effective” and 1.98% for those rated “effective.” The proposal also includes a one-time $750 supplement if an agreement is reached by July 22, along with a zero-premium health insurance option for employee-only coverage.

However, Orange County Classroom Teachers Association President Clinton McCracken said the proposed insurance costs would effectively reduce teachers’ earnings.

“Florida ranks 50th in the country in average teacher pay, and now the district has proposed a health insurance plan that would simply be unaffordable for our teachers,” McCracken said. “They’re already struggling currently. And what this would mean is an average 7% pay cut, and they can’t afford that.”

Orange County Public Schools officials said they recognize the rising cost of family health coverage and are attempting to provide employees with multiple insurance options.

“We do know that spouse coverage, family coverage is continuing to go up,” Chief Communications Officer Scott Howat said. “And to offset that cost and have every employee offset that cost is difficult. We know that there are personal choices that they need to make.”

District leaders said the proposal includes multiple coverage options designed to help employees manage higher insurance costs.

Negotiations are expected to continue ahead of the July 22 deadline. If the two sides fail to reach an agreement by then, teachers would no longer be eligible for the proposed $750 one-time supplement, although contract talks would continue through Florida’s impasse process