WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — After passing a much tighter budget for this school year, one Wilson County school board is talking about having employees pay for some of their health insurance.

“We are already living, many of us, paycheck to paycheck,” Amber Freedman, an Instructional Coach for Wilson County Schools, said.

Freedman works closely with teachers and staff, advocating for them on a daily basis. She said right now, teachers are worried about possible changes to their medical plan. 

“I will say I have benefitted from it," Freedman said. "I love it, and that is one reason I am in Wilson County."

As long as Freedman has worked for the district, she has not had to pay for insurance. However, those on a family plan do pay for some of their insurance. 

“When people have not been paying insurance, then all of a sudden we're saying, 'This is what you are going to do,' — surrounding counties look a little better,” Melissa Lynn, Wilson County School Board member, said during a May work session.  

At that May work session, the board passed a much tighter budget, which includes taking a look at a new insurance policy for teachers and staff.  

“This is not just one of those things that we're doing to save money, with the insurance it's not sustainable,” Jamie Farough, Wilson County School Board member, said. 

At their next meeting, the board will consider a handful of options — all of which will require teachers to pay up. 

Despite a tighter budget, certified staff — like teachers — received a raise of 3.5% and classified staff — like those who work in administrative services — received a 2% raise.

“We are, of course, thankful for any increase in pay,” Freedman said. 

However, Freedman said now, teachers will have to start dipping into their pocketbooks when it comes to their medical plan.

“This has been an incentive," Freedman said. "Why change something that is bringing in high-quality teachers and making us competitive?”

“It's just hard decisions we have to make and none of us are liking making these decisions," Farough said. "It's awful."

The next school board meeting is Thursday, Aug. 21 at 6 p.m.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/we-are-already-living-many-of-us-paycheck-to-paycheck-wilson-county-school-board-considers-changing-health-insurance-policy/