4.1       No less than thirty percent (30%) of any district directed group that evaluates

            and/or recommends health and welfare insurance shall be members of the Association.

            The District may change providers as long as the current levels of benefits are maintained.

4.2       The District agrees to provide health (including mental), dental, and vision insurance for each Member of the Bargaining Unit and family (spouse and dependants), employed fifty percent (50%) or more in a paid, assigned position.  The District will also provide life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance for the Member of the Bargaining Unit in the amount equal to thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) for employees on the salary schedule steps 1 - 13 and fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) for employees above step 13.  These employee benefits will be provided at no cost to the Member of the Bargaining Unit.  A new Member of the Bargaining Unit will receive Health and Welfare benefits beginning with the first of the month following their employment.

            4.2.1   The District agrees to a dental benefit with a maximum of two thousand dollars ($2000) per calendar year, per family member, as provided by the selected dental carrier.

4.2.2   The District will provide optional, employee paid, spouse and dependent life insurance at a reasonable rate.

4.3       Retiree Benefits

            4.3.1   Retiree Program --The District shall provide group health insurance benefits to the Member of the Bargaining Unit who retires from the District and family (spouse and dependants as defined by the carrier re: 4.3.2.1 and 4.3.3.5).  These benefits will be the same health, dental, and vision coverage, as those for an active Member of the Bargaining Unit.  Benefits will be provided at a cost not to exceed the premium for a Member of the Bargaining Unit coverage charged during the term of this agreement during the retirees eligibility period (re: 4.3.2.2.) 

                        4.3.1.1            When paid by the retiree, life insurance coverage may be continued at the same premium rate as the current Member of the Bargaining Unit until age sixty-five (65). 

                        4.3.1.2            When paid by the retiree after age sixty-five (65), optional supplemental life insurance may be continued at rates and coverage determined by the carrier.

            4.3.2   Retiree Eligibility -- In order to receive benefits under Article 4, the Member of the Bargaining Unit must:

                  4.3.2.1            Retire from District employment with a minimum of ten (10) years of District service (calculated on the basis of years times full time equivalent - FTE) and a minimum age of fifty-five (55) (Refer to 1.2.5) (Summer programs, summer school, and teaching additional periods, do not apply). 

                                          For example:

                                          *     Six (6) years of full time service and eight (8) years at half-time service equates to ten (10) years of district service  (6*1.0(FTE) + 8 * 0.5(FTE) = 10 years service).

                  4.3.2.2            Have ten years of District service for the minimum benefit coverage of five (5) years.  Additional years of benefit coverage will be based on a prorated equation of two to one (2:1).  A maximum of ten (10) years of health and welfare benefits is provided.  District paid benefits will expire when the employee is eligible for full Medicare benefits.  The retiree may elect to continue coverage under the District’s health plan at their own expense.

                                          For example:

                                                      *           Two (2) years of District service accrues one (1) year of benefit coverage.

            *           Eleven (11) years of full time service and five (5) years at half-time service equates to thirteen and one-half (13.5) years of time and six and three-fourths (6.75) years of benefits (11*1.0(FTE) + 5*0.5(FTE) = 13.5 years of service accruing 6.75 years of benefits.

                  4.3.2.3        Submit a letter of intent to the District ninety (90) days proceeding retirement.

      4.3.3    Terms of the Retiree Program -- The terms of the retirees’ benefits shall be as follows:

                  4.3.3.1            The District will contribute an amount not to exceed the premium for an active Member of the Bargaining Unit’s coverage charged during the term of this agreement to fund retiree benefits as specified in 4.3.1.

                  4.3.3.2            The contribution will be applied to health insurance benefits provided through the District-adopted hospital and medical insurance program for Members of the Bargaining Unit.  If the retired Member of the Bargaining Unit lives outside the service area of the District’s adopted programs, the District will reimburse the retired Member of the Bargaining Unit for hospital and medical insurance premiums; this amount shall not exceed the premium for an active Member of the Bargaining Unit.

                  4.3.3.3            Upon reaching eligibility for part A and B Medicare benefits, any retired employee under this program must apply for Medicare and Medicare shall become the primary insurance plan.  The retiree may elect to continue coverage under the District’s health plan at his/her own expense.

                  4.3.3.4            Upon entering the Medicare program, a retired employee ceases to be a Member of the Bargaining Unit for the purpose of this Agreement, but may continue voluntary programs.

                  4.3.3.5            A Member of the Bargaining Unit is not eligible for District paid benefits while receiving a disability allowance from the State Teachers’ Retirement System (STRS), but may continue in the benefit program at the Member of the Bargaining Unit’s own expense under the payment provisions established by the District.  The cost shall not exceed the premium of an active Member of the Bargaining Unit.  When disability allowance ceases, a Member of the Bargaining Unit will be allowed to re-enter the District paid program.