Top Takeaways The cost of health benefits has surged nearly 500% since 2013-14, outpacing school funding growth. Teachers’ share of their healthcare premiums has reached $1,600 a month in some cases, fueling labor battles. California school districts spent 8% of their per-student funding on health benefits last school year. Twin Rivers Unified School District teachers in Sacramento spent 12 days on strike in March, in part, because healthcare premiums for some teachers and their families had reached $1,600 a month — a growing burden now fueling labor battles in school districts across California. Little Lake City teachers in Sante Fe Springs, Norwalk and Downey walked out of their classrooms for 10 days; Natomas Unified teachers in Sacramento for seven days; and Dublin Unified, West Contra Costa Unified and San Francisco Unified teachers for four days this school year. All six unions ended their strikes with health coverage victories. Other unions reached agreements with their districts on improved health benefits at the bargaining table; some are still trying. As school districts grapple with declining enrollment, expiring federal aid and rising pension costs, healthcare premiums have become one of the most contentious issues in labor negotiations. Teachers say escalating out-of-pocket costs are swallowing salary gains, while district leaders say schools can’t continue to shoulder the entire cost of employee health benefits without having to cut elsewhere. Modesto Unified teachers have been negotiating a contract with their district since the fall. The sticking point: health benefits. Teachers would like the district to pay…
