School Board hears our voices,
health insurance funded through  December 2008

“We are overjoyed,” a beaming Karen Aronowitz, president of United Teachers of Dade, said while surrounded by jubilant members following the announcement the School Board had voted to pay for the health insurance increases through the end of  2008.    

The announcement was made by Dr. Solomon Stinson late in the evening during the School Board’s meeting Wednesday.  The board voted to keep the District’s 2007 health insurance plans through December 31, 2008 during an executive session held earlier in the day.   

A roar of applause came from the packed auditorium, where more than 60 members were waiting to be called up to address the School Board members during the public hearing. 

“It is a relief that the school board finally heard our voices and realized they could not balance the budget on the backs of its teachers and education support professionals,” Aronowitz said.

It took months of grueling negotiations between UTD and MDCPS, numerous protests and rallies throughout the county, and hundreds of UTD members going before the School Board to pressure the District to bulk and pay for increases to their health insurance. 

The School Board's decision must now be ratified by the UTD bargaining unit.

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