Teachers, staff and residents press board to rescind health-benefit change; motion filed but no recorded vote

Teachers, medical professionals, union representatives and residents urged the Garfield Board of Education Feb. 12 to rescind a January resolution (item 10.26) that would change the district's employee health insurance. A motion to rescind was put on the table and seconded, but the provided transcript does not record a final vote.

Michael Backo, grievance chair and AFT New Jersey vice president, told the board the union had asked whether the board would rescind its prior action on item 10.26. "Was that email just fluff or actually going to be a man of your word?" he asked, referring to a message board leaders had sent promising to postpone any change pending further discussion.

Doctors and staff described clinical and access concerns with the insurer the board had identified as a replacement. "The Aetna plans that have been presented are not the same or better," said Dr. Dominic D'Agostino, who identified himself as a physician in Garfield and said he treats district employees. He added that many specialists are out of network with Aetna and that employees would face increased out-of-network costs.

Teachers described fear of retaliation and hardship from a loss of current coverage. "Teachers who dedicate themselves educating your children every day ... are not miracle workers. We need your support," one teacher told the board. Speakers said the board had sent an email promising to delay implementation; several asked whether that email was legally binding.

At about 55 minutes into the meeting record (transcript time 5524.305), President Ramos said he would "allow the motion to rescind from the last meeting, resolution 10.26, regarding the health benefits." The clerk acknowledged or the record indicates a second by Trustee Garber. The transcript does not record a roll-call vote on that rescission in the provided excerpt.

Several public commenters urged immediate rescission until the district completed broader consultation. Joe Delaney, a longtime meeting attendee, said rescinding until options were fully discussed was both practicable and customary: "Why not rescind a resolution until you look at different options? It's not that hard."

Board members told the public they had sent an internal email indicating postponement or delay of implementation. President Ramos later said the email had delayed or stopped implementation "and Doctor Tomko will speak to that." The transcript records differing public views about whether the email constituted a legally binding rescission; board counsel and administration described the email as a delay while legal avenues were pursued.

The meeting record shows widespread concern among staff and residents about specific access problems they said would arise under the proposed Aetna plans, and multiple speakers — including physicians and staff — offered to meet with the board to review plan differences. The transcript does not contain a final board decision on rescission during the provided meeting excerpt.