SEBRING SCHOOLS Insurance snags teacher-contract talks

A union spokeswoman said the board has made an offer and the teachers have countered.
SEBRING -- Health insurance costs remain a key point of contention between the board of education and the teachers union, the Sebring Local Education Association.
"The board's ability to negotiate a responsible and fair salary increase is tied to lowering the cost of insurance paid by the board through insurance changes proposed by the board," said Superintendent Howard Friend.
The board and SLEA representatives met Saturday for two hours without progress, Friend said.
JoAnn Jones, SLEA spokeswoman, said the board made an offer and the teachers countered. She said negotiations were cut short because the federal mediator could only meet for two hours.
Board President Tod Brunie said the board's negotiating team will continue to negotiate in good faith, but "the ability to provide a quality education for Sebring's students and the future viability and fiscal health of this district will not be mortgaged just to solve this short-term problem."
Impasse: Negotiations between the SLEA and the school board began May 16. An impasse was declared July 26. The contract expired Aug. 31.
Friend said negotiations teams have made some progress and are waiting for a federal mediator to schedule another meeting.
The 59-member teachers union voted Dec. 4 to authorize issuance of a strike notice. Another membership vote would be required to authorize an actual walkout.
Jones said teachers are eager to resolve the stalemate, but not so eager that they are willing to settle for less than a fair and equitable agreement.