Article 7. Group Insurance and Benefits

Subd. 1. The District shall contribute the following amounts toward the cost of Medical Insurance premiums and VEBA spending accounts:

Any additional cost of the premium shall be paid by the employee through payroll deduction.

Subd. 2. Effective April 1, 2020, staff may only enroll in the high deductible medical plan. When enrolled, the district would contribute toward the cost of insurance premiums and fund a VEBA spending account to be used to help pay deductibles and other out of pocket expenses.

Subd. 3. If a change in existing benefits for carrier is considered, EM-R as Exclusive Representative, shall be given a minimum of sixty (60) working days’ notice and the matter referred to the Insurance Committee.

Subd. 4. An employee who chooses not to participate in the District insurance plans shall forfeit any right to monetary gain in lieu of an insurance premium.

The School Board shall contribute up to the following amounts for Dental Insurance:

Any additional cost of the premium shall be paid by the employee through payroll deduction.

Subd. 1. The School Board shall provide $50,000 of group term life insurance coverage per teacher contracted for (30) hours or more per week. Teachers working fourteen (14) hours or up to thirty (30) hours per week shall be eligible to participate in the life insurance program at the employee's expense through payroll deduction.

Subd. 2. The School Board agrees, if such option can be obtained, to secure an additional fifty (50) thousand dollars of voluntary supplementary group term life insurance at the expense of the teacher. The availability of such coverage shall be subject to all terms and conditions imposed by the carrier. In no event shall such voluntary supplementary coverage increase the premium for the basic coverage provided by the School Board.

The District shall provide LTD insurance for teachers contracted for thirty (30) hours or more per week, who are eligible for disability benefits as determined by the disability insurance company. Other income paid to the disabled employee may reduce benefit payments made by the LTD insurance company. See also Article Thirteen, Section 1, Subd. 8.

In the event a teacher, absent because of illness or injury, has exhausted sick leave, and subsequently qualifies for long-term disability (LTD) coverage, the health and hospitalization medical insurance, life insurance, and income protection, LTD insurance shall continue in effect in accordance with the provisions contained in the master agreements with the carriers for the period of LTD eligibility.

Clarification: if the teacher remains in a disabled condition, there is a “waiver of premium” that will pay for medical insurance premiums. There is also a “waiver of premium” provision for term life insurance, following the date of approval for LTD. In order to be eligible for the waiver of premium, the employee must have been enrolled in medical insurance and/or life insurance at the time of approval for LTD.

If, however, the “waiver of Premium” provisions are eliminated from the master agreement with the carrier, then the district will pay the medical and life insurance premiums for up to twelve months following the date of approval for LTD. After twelve months of district payments, the teacher may continue coverage at their expense, based on provisions contained in applicable state and federal statutes.

Subd. 1. After cessation of employment and in accordance with state statutes and the provisions of the insurer, disabled teachers may elect to continue participation in insurance programs for the period of disability, according to provisions of the master agreement. However, once eligibility for LTD continuation ceases, continued medical insurance coverage would be based upon the provisions contained in applicable state and federal statutes.

Subd. 2. In accordance with state and federal statutes and provisions of the insurance programs, surviving dependents of a deceased eligible employee may elect to continue participation in the medical insurance provided the surviving dependent(s) pay the full premium.

The District shall carry worker’s compensation insurance on all employees in case of work-related injury or accident. When worker’s compensation insurance payments to the employee have started, the employee will remain on the payroll, with the difference between the worker’s compensation check and their salary charged to their sick leave until such sick leave is exhausted. The teacher will keep the worker’s compensation check, and the school district will adjust the salary and sick leave accordingly.

Subd. 1. Matching Annuity: A teacher may participate in a district matching annuity program provided in M.S. 356.24 according to the provisions contained in this Article.

Subd. 2 Eligibility: Teachers who have worked one full school year having begun before October 1 and who work fourteen (14) or more hours per week may receive a district matching contribution of 1% of the employee’s salary. Completed applications must be in by July 31, to be effective September 15 or by August 31 to be effective October 15.

Subd. 3 Any matching Board contributions belong to the individual staff member during and after

employment in District 623.

Subd. 1. Eligibility: Effective July 1, 2004, in accordance with Minnesota Statute, Chapter 352.98, all teachers hired on/or after July 1, 1983, will participate in the Health Care Savings Plan administered by the Minnesota State Retirement System.

Subd. 2. Mandatory Employee Contribution: Effective July 1, 2006, the teacher will contribute 2% of their salary from schedule A.

Subd. 3. Employer Contribution: Effective July 1, 2006, the district will contribute 2% of the teacher’s salary from schedule A.

The School Board shall provide professional legal liability coverage to state required limits for each licensed employee.

When the duration of a long term sub assignment is known to exceed 60 paid days, then the long-term sub becomes eligible for benefits when the assignment begins. When the duration of a long term sub assignment is unknown and subsequently becomes known to exceed 60 paid days, then the long term sub becomes eligible for benefits at the time the assignment duration becomes known to exceed 60 paid days or when the duration exceeds 60 paid days.

An Insurance Committee that will include representatives of EM-R shall meet to study group insurance problems and opportunities and to advise the school district regarding the same.