CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Board of Education is throwing its support behind public school employees, joining with county boards of education in passing a resolution in connection with PEIA.
State Board members passed their own resolution at last week’s board meeting.
PEIA, the state-run health insurance program, has been promised by Gov. Patrick Morrisey to be part of a special legislative session this summer.
The program is facing rising costs, acting employees will begin paying 14 percent increases for deductibles and premiums beginning July 1.
The state BOE resolution joins similar resolutions passed in recent months by all 55 county boards of education.
State BOE General Counsel Kelli Talbott said the resolution calls for the “stabilization” of PEIA.
According to the resolution, a stable health insurance program “is necessary in recruiting and retaining qualified educators.”
The resolution also cites “the recent financial instability of PEIA” has led to an undue burden on education workers impacting their take-home pay.
It would be in the best interest of all in the education system, according to the resolution that action be taken to “prevent further cost increases and reduction in benefits.”
Morrisey hasn’t yet said when a special session would take place.
“My goal is to work with them (legislative leaders) on the dates (for a special session) and be collaborative in advance of the process so that when legislators come in that it can be an effective and productive special session,” Morrisey said earlier this month.
State Senate President Randy Smith said PEIA is a difficult issue.
“It’s hard to fund something that just keeps on moving,” Smith told reporters at the Capitol this month. “We give it 200-million this year and next year it needs 300-million. We have to make some fixes to try and plug the holes that are draining it.”
The state BOE passed its resolution on a unanimous vote and will copies to the governor’s office and the legislature.