MSBSD/MSEA Negotiations Update
Health Insurance Transition 7.1.2023
General Information
Open Enrollment Information
May 19, 2023 - June 9, 2023.
Premera Appointments
Premera appointments were available through 4:00 p.m. Friday, June 9, 2023. Individuals with additional questions should email: Katherine.Gardner@matsuk12.us
High Deductible Health Plan Details
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District AK HDHP SBC 2023.pdfHDHP - Summary of Benefits and Coverage
FY24 Premera Plan Highlights HDHP.pdfHDHP - Plan Highlights
PV Core Plus Drug List.pdfHDHP - Preventative Drug List(these are drugs covered at 100%)
HDHP List of Covered Drugs.pdfHDHP - Prescription Formulary
2023-07 Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District HDHP.pdfSummary Plan Description - HDHP
2023-07 Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Dental.pdfSummary Plan Description - DENTAL
Mimic Plan Details
Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District AK F3T Plus $500 SBC 2023.pdfMimic Plan - Summary of Benefits and Coverage
FY24 Premera Plan Highlights Mimic PPO.pdfMimic Plan - Plan Highlights
ACA Preventive List.pdfMimic Plan - Preventative Drug List(these are drugs covered at 100%)
Mimic Plan List of Covered Drugs.pdfMimic Plan - Prescription Formulary
2023-07 Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District PPO.pdfSummary Plan Description - Mimic Plan
2023-07 Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District Dental.pdfSummary Plan Description - DENTAL
Salary Update
Salary Schedule Updated.pdfSalary Increases in FY23, FY24, and FY25
Salary Increase: Employees will receive a 2% salary increase retroactive to July 1, 2022 and a 2% increase in both FY24 and FY25.
Retroactive Pay: All teachers employed on May 12, 2023 will receive a retroactive pay adjustment on or before June 30, 2023. This includes individuals who have provided notice of their intent to retire or resign for the FY 2024 school year.
May 31, 2023 payroll - all base pays will be adjusted to reflect the new salary schedule which includes a 2% salary increase.
June 15, 2023 - retro pay adjustments will be processed and included. Employees will receive a notice which outlines the retroactive pay calculations for review on or before June 15th
FY 2024 Salary Schedule: Employees at the end of the salary schedule for B+60/M+15, M+30, M+45 and D will be eligible for a step increase for FY 2024. You will be receiving a contract addendum recognizing this new salary placement prior to the start of the 2023/2024 school year. Employees who previously received a longevity payment at these steps will continue to receive a longevity payment paid out on the October 31, 2023 payroll.
MSBSD Last Best Offer Summary
The MSBSD current proposal to teachers provides:
Three years of salary schedule increases of 2%, in addition to step increases for eligible employees of between 2% and 4%.
Adds an additional step for columns B+60 and above,
Reduces employee health insurance premiums for FY 24 by as much as $11,800,
Guarantees NO increase to employee health insurance premiums in FY 2025,
Provides $8,500 in health savings account contributions for eligible employees.
MSBSD Salary Proposal
2%, 2%, and 2%
The District's proposal includes 2% salary increases in each year of the agreement, retroactive to July 1, 2022.
Added Experience Step
The District's proposal adds a step on to the salary schedule, beginning in FY 2024, for columns B+60, M+15, M+30, M+45, and D.
Relevant Salary Comparables
MSBSD salaries are competitieve when compared to the Big 5
Mat-Su Teachers will have the second highest ending salary in FY 2024 of the Big 5 and will exceed ASD by almost $4,000.
MSBSD teachers earn a higher salary faster
MSBSD salary schedule is shorter, this means that employees earn higher salaries earlier in their career than in comparable Districts. The table above shows how at 14 years MSBSD employees make $100,265 compared with $88,533 in Anchorage.
MSBSD Health Insurance Proposal
Two Plan Options
The District's proposal offers two health insurance options, the "mimic" plan which closely mirrors Plan C/B with ortho, and a high deductible health plan.
Reduced Premiums
The District's proposal reduces employee health insurance premiums to $220 per pay period for the "mimic" plan and $126 per pay period for the high deductible health plan. In addition these rates will not increase for FY 2025.
HSA Contributions
The District's proposal includes $8,500 to employees who elect the high deductible health plan option.
What does it mean for me?
The District's proposal provides a significant increase in teacher take home earnings through increasing the salary schedule in each year of the agreement, adding steps eligibility to topped out teachers, reducing employee health insurance premiums, and providing a district funded health savings account.
+$24,500
Early Career Teachers
Teachers who continue to be eligible for step movement and transition to the High Deductible Health Plan will see take home earnings increase by over $24,000 in a three year period. Teachers in FY 25 will make 21% more than in FY 22. This $24,000 increase does not include the $8,500 district provided contribution to the health savings account.
+$17,500
Topped-out Teachers
Teachers at the end of the schedule have the added benefit of additional step eligibility beginning in FY 2024. More experienced teachers who elect to continue to have a similar level of coverage through the "mimic" plan still may experience a $17,500 salary increase over the contract term. This increase provides a take home earnings increase in FY 25 of almost 12%.
Why the focus on Health Insurance
LTR Information Request to MSEA 9-20-22 Final.docx.pdfTransparency
The District spends in excess of $41,000,000 each year for health insurance. It is unacceptable that this information is un-auditable and cannot be effectively evaluated. We have no way to test if Mat-Su is supplementing other districts, we have not way to go to market for alternative coverage or know if our program is cost effective, we have no information to support if claims exceed premiums or vice versa.
Accountability
Aggregate de-identified claims data is NOT private or personal health information. The information that the district is seeking in evaluating the performance of the health plan would not allow for the identification of specific individual diagnosis or care. These kinds of reports are used routinely in the industry. An example report of the kind of data we would be reviewing can be seen to the right
De-identified Claims Example.pdf
Increased Cost
The cost of health insurance has continued to escalate over the last 10 years. These increases have been experienced both by employees and the District alike. Plan C/B premiums have increased by 55% since 2015.
Additional Information
District Post Hearing Brief Final 3-31-23.pdfMSBSD Arbitration Post Hearing Brief
Read the District's post arbitration MSEA brief.
MSBSD Arbitration Exhibits
To review the District's complete exhibits click on the folder to the left.
District Post Mediation Proposal to MSEA 11-29-22.pdfDistrict's proposal to MSEA
Salary Schedule Updated.pdfDistrict's proposed salary schedule