A proposal to change the health benefits of Harvard’s retired teachers pits the financial needs of the town against the need for quality health care for some of Harvard’s most dedicated employees (see story). On the one hand, Harvard faces rising benefit costs that Assistant Town Administrator Marie Sobalvarro says now consume 13 percent of the annual budget, though a breakdown of those costs awaits further analysis. But Harvard has promised its teachers that they will be taken care of in retirement with health insurance that is affordable and available, a promise that teachers say is endangered should their insurance be moved from the state-run insurance program for retired teachers to Minuteman Nashoba Health Group. Teachers are also concerned that the planned change is a prelude to increasing their contributions from 10 or 15 percent to 25 or 50 percent of their plan’s cost.
Teachers learned of the planned change for the first time in a July 29 letter that lacked details. The selectmen say the short notice was dictated by their need to make a decision in September if they are to implement changes this year, a self-imposed deadline that interferes with a search for better alternatives.
A hearing held Tuesday night in Town Hall was attended by approximately 50 teachers who listened patiently for more than an hour in the sweltering upstairs meeting room to the reading of 30 letters sent by present and former colleagues. The three selectmen present were attentive and sensitive to the questions raised in the letters and by the dozen attendees who later spoke. No voices were raised. The opinions expressed were respectful and heartfelt. It was a model of civil discourse.
The decision is now in the hands of the selectmen, who have the authority to make changes without the consent of the teachers and in spite of their unanimous opposition. But given the desire of both sides to find a solution that works for the town as well as its retirees, it would be a pity not to take more time to find one.
