August 1, 2016
Dear Mount Vernon PSE Paraeducator Chapter Members:
I hope everyone is having an enjoyable summer. In a few short weeks the 2016-17 school year will begin.
As the new school year gets rolling, everyone in the PSE Paraeducator unit will participate in the annual sign-up for insurance. This fall will be no exception.
There has been considerable confusion related to which specific insurance options will be offered to your bargaining unit next school year. The PSE State Organization has consulted with the insurance broker for the Mount Vernon School District in order to clarify this situation. As a result, your group will remain in the Skagit County Insurance Consortium for 2016-17, with your insurance options remaining similar to 2015-16.
During the 2016-17 school year, an Insurance Committee will be formed in the Mount Vernon Paraeducator unit to study addition insurance options for 2017-18. The purpose will be to get input from all members prior to selecting insurance plans for the 2017-18 school year.
Below you will find a note to me from James Stevens the insurance broker for your district with Hub NW out of Bellingham. He provides updated information regarding 2016-17 insurance.
Good afternoon Tim, as we have discussed it is my understanding that the Mount Vernon PSE1 group will continue as a member of the Skagit County Insurance Consortium for the 2016/17 school year and will receive benefits as approved by consortium. In addition, it has been determined that the dental plan continue to be a voluntary benefit provided. We will begin to prepare benefit booklets for the group based on this information which will be available on-line and in hard copy. A postcard announcing how to access this information will be mailed to each member of the group later in August. Furthermore, it is our understanding that the PSE Paraeducator group will form a benefits committee to review their benefit choices for the 2017/18 school year and as the insurance broker for the Mount Vernon School District, HUB NW will be pleased to assist the group in their review process. (Emphasis added).
I hope the information provide is helpful. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me via email at tbusch@pseofwa.org.
Enjoy the rest of you summer!
In solidarity –
Tim Busch
Field Representative
Public School Employees of Washington/SEIU Local 1948
