PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Stacy Tayman, president of the Calvert Association of Education Support Staff, said the change to Calvert County health care premiums is “unprecedented” for the support staff of the district.
Speaking during the public comment period during the April 23 Board of Education (BOE) meeting, Tayman said she represents more than 900 educational support staff personnel, or ESPs, of Calvert County Public Schools, and claims they were notified of a 21-point increase in health care premiums just days before open enrollment began.
Tayman acknowledged that rising health care costs are a nationwide issue — but for the personnel she represents, the impacts are substantial.
“Nearly 75% of our ESPs earn annual wages that are less than what a first-year teacher earns. Many are already working multiple jobs and sudden increases in health care do not come from discretionary spending. They come from utilities, food, housing, child care, transportation.”
Tayman went on to say that the ESPs don’t have the same financial buffers as other roles within the school district, and for many of them, the increase premium represents a real pay cut — further compounding the harm, the increases were communicated after many spouses’ open enrollment periods had closed, restricting ESPs to plans they couldn’t afford and denying them the opportunity to seek lower-cost alternatives.
Before ending her comments, Tayman thanked the board members for engaging in individual conversations with her and asked the BOE to be mindful of creating an environment where people can no longer afford to work for CCPS — and how better communication could reduce financial hardships.
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