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Tech District Teachers Irate at Dental Plan Switch

Crest Haven | 6 weeks 3 days ago | Comments 15

By Al Campbell

Jim McKinley, Cape May County Technical High School Education Association president speaks to board May 20. Photos by Al Campbell

CREST HAVEN — Saving money can be like pulling teeth, just ask the county Technical School Board of Education.

The 104-member Cape May County Technical High School Education Association told the district board of education May 20 of its displeasure over the switch to Aetna DMO and PPO from Delta Dental Premium Plan.

Association President Jim McKinley made a presentation at the board’s May 20 meeting. Backing him were some 12 teachers who took time from their day to attend the 1 p.m. meeting.

With a flip chart on an easel, McKinley told the board, which saved $36,000 by the two-year change in dental plan coverage, that the association’s 87 members who reside in Cape May County and 17 who reside elsewhere will be ill-served, since there are just eight participating dentists in the plan locally.

He also noted that for many years, the association’s membership did not have dental coverage. That coverage, via Delta Dental came with the signing of the last contract in 2005.

There are no participating local (within 50 miles) dentists in the Aetna DMO and eight in the PPO plan.

With the price of gas, McKinley noted, it may be advantageous for members who live in southern Cape May County to use dentists in Delaware rather than driving to Bridgeton.

Having the two Aetna options, McKinley said, “It really sounded like a good plan.”

Then, he said, teachers started to do the math. They found there would be not only 125 employees from the district participating, but their families would bring the estimated number of dental users to over 400.

“How can eight offices realistically accept 400 new patients and provide them with the best of care? If cannot be done,” said McKinley.

Tom Myers, field representative for the New Jersey Education Association, said that while the Aetna plan “Is very comparable to Delta on paper, it looks good…two other criteria must be considered.”

One of those was the Aetna’s network “is very small in this county, and most employees live in this county,” Myers said.

Superintendent Robert Matthies said he’d met with McKinley three times about the matter after the board’s April decision.

Board Secretary Paula Smith said the board was aware of Aetna’s scale, and that the district received assurances that “Aetna will pay 90 percent of out of network plan.”

Members would first have to pay for the dental visit, then receive reimbursement from Aetna, something that does not happen with Delta, McKinley said.

The board went into executive session to discuss the matter at the close of the meeting.

Teachers also asked the board to reconsider holding meetings at 1 p.m., a time, which makes it difficult for many parents and association members to participate.

They were told that the meetings were set at the November reorganization, and that change, if any, would have to be done after the next reorganization.

See next Wednesday’s Herald print edition for follow-up on the board’s decision, if any.

Print | Email Updated 6 weeks 3 days ago

Comments (15)

We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article.

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Thu, 05/22/2008 - 4:11pm

The techinal school teachers deserve a dental plan, they just don't get to pick which one. They should be thankful they have jobs that include health & dental benefits, most people in this county don't get such benefits! Some teachers(not all) are out of touch with the real world, where raises and steps aren't automically given, year after year. Be thankful for what you have.

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Thu, 05/22/2008 - 10:34am

Let's not forget that teachers are not the only people that are affected by the change, secretarial, teachers aides and custodial personnel are also affected. There are also other school personnel that are not allowed in the union, due to the nature of their job, that are affected by the move and have no say at all.

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 8:07pm

Some tax payers don't understand the education system in their county schools. The caring educators who spend over eight hours a day with your children are professionals. They have spent many years preparing themselves for the difficult, but rewarding challenges of educating America's youth. These devoted educators are molding the leaders of tomorrow. Lets not forget the important role these educators play in our children's lives. Are teachers over compensated for their dedication and commitment to their career's? I don't think so.
If you think teachers are over paid for the job they do, take a look at the pay scales for other professions. For what teachers have to deal with each day and the responsibilities bestowed upon them, they clearly are not over paid.
Have some compassion for your teachers at Cape May Tech. They are some of the lowest paid teachers in Southern New Jersey.

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 7:15pm

We are lucky in this county that the vo-tech high school is here for our kids. My child knew he had to turn his performance around in the middle school so he could be the kind of kid who could work hard at the vo-tech school. The challenge at the tech school turned him around because there was no challenge in his middle school. Once he got there he saw how hard you have to work in regular classes and learn a trade all at the same time. Those teachers make a difference and my taxes are the same either way. The farce is the other schools that pretend they are just as good.

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 5:46pm

Actually to the “here we go again” comment: “90%” is not 90% of the bill. It means 90% of what AETNA believes is reasonable NOT 90% of what the patient is actually charged. That cost is not covered because there is basically no one in that network. That is how the school got snowed into agreeing to this.

In fact, your 50-50 sounds even better. Once this plan spends $1000 at the dentist, you are done benefits for the year.

As for “steady work”, steady college got teachers steady work. Hard work keeps them there.

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 12:29pm

You have to drive out of the county, not the state........I moved to Cape May 5 years ago, people thought I was from North Jersey when I said we were from Cherry Hill. Please get a grip and give the taxpayers, including the teachers who live in the county, a break from high taxes. Teach the children and accept what you receive.

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 8:16am

"Boo Hoo" These teachers are profesionals with a higher education than other public employees. If these teachers don't have anything to work for who is going to educate this town. As for the people in the county and Country who don't have plans... get off your but and aply yourself. These teachers are not looking for a handout they are just looking for what they deserve. Respect teachers rights!

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 7:28am

The public should treat it's teachers better. They educate your kids, if you don't want to give them their due, pull you kid out of school and home school them. Pay up! They deserve it.

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 6:20am

vote in new board members

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 4:05am

Here we go again, more people swilling from the public trough and complaining they want more. The dental plan will pay 90% of their bill; most non public workers only receive a 50- 50 coverage, if any dental coverage at all. I figure these people are 40 to 90% ahead of most of the people that pay their salary. Someone should tell them we are in tough economic times and they should be thankful they have a steady good paying job.
Maybe they haven't noticed.

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Wed, 05/21/2008 - 1:00am

Lower Township would have plenty of money for their teachers if it wasn't for the crooked politicians and the wasteful spending in the area.

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Tue, 05/20/2008 - 8:37pm

The teachers at Tech are as hard working as any in the county, if not more so. Anyone who says otherwise has no clue about the daily workings of the school. It's good to see that they were able to keep the benefits they negotiated for and deserve!!!

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Tue, 05/20/2008 - 8:27pm

Cape May Tech's association of teachers continues to lead the way in spirit and passion and our students will learn to do as we do!

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Tue, 05/20/2008 - 5:55pm

Boo Hoo!! Try and work as an employee of Lower Township. They having been giving their employees the shaft for years now.

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Tue, 05/20/2008 - 4:14pm

Well that's just too bad. What about all the people in the County and Country that don't have any dental plan at all. The Technical School is nothing more than a farce anyway. It's about time they were brought down to size. Boo Hoo :(

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