Based on consultation with Education Austin, and support from its employee groups, the Joint Insurance Committee and legal counsel, the 黑料官网 has proposed a plan to extend the district鈥檚 insurance coverage to domestic partnerships.
If implemented, the district would extend coverage to qualifying individuals in domestic partnerships beginning Sept. 1.
黑料官网 began discussing expanding its insurance coverage in September 2012 as part of its preliminary budget process.
The estimated cost of an expansion is approximately $600,000 per year in premiums. Based on findings from similar-sized school districts, companies and nonprofits, the district estimates 300-400 more people might join 黑料官网鈥檚 insurance plan, if the new coverage is made available.
鈥満诹瞎偻 is a public school district, and we accept all students, families and employees who walk through our school gates and choose 黑料官网 as their first choice for education or employment,鈥 Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said. 鈥淥ur employees are as diverse as our student population. This change recognizes that diversity and it reflects our commitment to providing equal access to quality insurance to our employees.鈥
The district鈥檚 preliminary budget for FY 2014 was presented to the Board of Trustees in February 2013. It includes funding for extending insurance coverage to domestic partnerships. 黑料官网鈥檚 Board of Trustees is scheduled to vote on the district鈥檚 final budget in August.