Get AI Briefings, Transcripts & Alerts on Local & National Government Meetings — Forever.
ESP union president urges board to address sudden 21.2% health‑premium increase
Summary
Stacy Tayman, president of the Calvert Association of Educational Support Staff, told the board a 21.2% health‑insurance premium increase was announced just days before open enrollment closed and said the timing and size of the increase disproportionately harm lower‑paid support staff.
During the public‑comment period on May 4, Stacy Tayman, president of the Calvert Association of Educational Support Staff (CASE), told the Calvert County Board of Education that CCPS employees received notice of a 21.2% health‑insurance premium increase days before the district’s open enrollment period closed and urged the board to mitigate the impact on educational support professionals (ESPs).
"CCPS employees were notified of an unprecedented 21.2% increase in health care premiums just days before open enrollment began," Tayman said. She told the board CASE represents more than 900 ESPs in Calvert County and said "nearly 75% of our ESPs earn annual wages that are less than what a first year teacher earns." Tayman said many ESPs work multiple jobs and lack financial buffers to absorb sudden premium changes, and she asked the board to be mindful of experienced employees who fear they can no longer afford to work for the district.
Board members acknowledged the concern; members and staff said they had had conversations with CASE representatives and that district staff would continue the conversation. The CFO was on the record during the financial presentation noting health‑claims trends are being monitored in the fixed‑charges category and that staff will reflect any potential liabilities in year‑end reporting.
Tayman requested that the board consider both the timing of the notice and options to reduce harm for affected employees; no formal board action was taken at the meeting. "I will continue to advocate for reducing the harm to ESPs and ask that you be mindful of the experienced employees who fear that they can no longer afford to work for us," she said.
The board did not announce a specific follow‑up at the meeting beyond staff offering to continue conversations and provide budget detail after the session.
