Ott art stolen feria A. NEWS photo Mike Woketield ARTIST Helen Ott holds a watercolor similar to the one stolen (inset) on April 17 in an 80-painting display at Park Royal Shopping Centre’s north mail. Ott’s stolen painting costs $160. Call 922-0468 with information. V teachers, b ‘brouhaha Liam Lahey Contributing Writer ANGRY teachers stormed out of a North Vancouver School Board District 44 meeting on Tuesday night after the board decided to amend the teachers’ benefits program. Last November, the board hired WestPro Benefit Systems -— on insurance consultant/broker — to conduct a com- prehensive study of District 44's current employee benefits package and provide a report on possible savings via a provincial restructuring initiative. The review was completed and pre- sented to the board last March. On Tuesday night, District 44’s trustees approved the implementation of WestPro’s proposal, with trustees Marg Jessup and Barbara MacLellan opposed. WestPro identified possible savings of between 3% and 5% that would result from changes to the financial arrange- ments and procedures of District 44’s group benefits plans. The savings would total up to $67,758 over a three-year period. A: © ‘Sitional %167,000 reserve funds surplus arem rhe Pacific Blue Cross Dental Plan has —iso ween identified, 20% of which belongs to the North Vancouver Teachers Association (NVTA). NVTA president Weldon Cowan said District 44’s decision will lead to higher insurance premiums. “It’s iusulting. They talk about wanti- ng to work collaboratively with their employee groups but they did this against our very strong objections,” he said. “Most of the savings wind up in WestPro’s pocket, not in the board’s ver pocket and we see that as counter-pro- ductive. “The amendment of the underwriting methods means over the nest couple of years the insurance premiums may actual- ly go up, not only wiping out any savings the beard might accrue but resalting in an increase in dental premiums for teach- ers.” WestP whatever cost savings are iden through their estimates. Their fee, once established, is set in stone and could affect the board's savings projections should insurance premiums rise — a prime NVTA concern For example, if the estimated savings are confirmed to be set at 3%, or $62,850, WestPro will receive $56,565 for their services resulting in an annual saving of $6,285 (over a three-year peri- od) or $18,855 for the board. If premiums do go up, WestPro would still be entitled to receive that $56,565, resulting in a possible toss for the board. Cowan said the board could have changed its current underwriting meth- ods itself rather than turning to WestPro but never explored that possibility. “All it takes to change those methods is paid approximately 90% of fied _is a phone call and a letter,” he said. “The NVTA has always held the posi- tion that any savings the board achieves in benefits through any sort of thing like this should flow back as improved bene- its.” Along with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 389 represen- tative Sarah Johnston, Cowan heavily criticized WestPro’s proposal and its involvement in unions’ affairs. “There’s a lack of real detail in WestPro’s proposal and there’s a possibil- ity it may wind up costing the board ard in enetits more money,” Cowan said. “They're (the beard) a big enough employer that they can achieve these sav- ings if they just do it chemsel All of that has been ign th Bur District 44 board chairman Doug MacKay-Dunn said the teacher’s insur- ance premiums will not rise. “We as tr s and as a staff mu look for every opportunity to. save money,” he said. “The icaching staff was consulted by (District. 44's secretary-treasurer Phil Turin); there’s been correspondence back and f e scen it myself. “This is not about going after the teaching and support staff at all. This does not change their benefits, and this will not change their benefits package. If there’s an increase in premiums, then that’s a matter of dealing with it in terms of our collective agreement.” Turin reiterated to the News that WestPro’s report does not affect the NVTA’s benctits package. “This proposal does not change any of the current arrangements with benefits plans with the teachers or with CUPE staff,” he said. “The (education) ministry is taking back money all the time. “This is a way to put money back into the system so we can redirect those funds to the classroom.” Still, Cowan is convinced the board’s cost savings restructuring is suspect. “They’re (the board) talking about trying to achieve savings, at the same time they’ve paid out $11,000 to reno- vate the new secretary-treasurer’s office,” Cowan said. The NVTA filed a grievance with the board over the issue on Wednesday morning. ikers injured in Low Level Road crash Kf it’s news, then 52’s in the News. (FACTORY FUTON { Entrance in reat ane 5 49 COMPARE Dat. 395 stip lncivdes Soud pide sofa ped frame Tole fas rove foto scovch-gecded faton Cover gules 696 pillow covers Node geanttes Hast 267 £. Ist. Wan Hon - Sat. 11-6pm Sunday 12-5 pm 994-4504 Coupon ANY OIL CHANGE PACKAGE Formerty Shell Rapid Lube & 13th N. Vancouver Lonsdale 985-1050 Expires May 1299 1252 Lynn LUNDAYS reat nadian ANGE Since 19/8 LT oi | iS proud 8 to welcome p10 Tare an award winning, up to date stylist who we welcome te our team. 0 Valley Read Ce A 58-year-old - motorcyclist was seri- ously injured on April 23 after colliding with a bicyclist at Lower Level Road near East 3rd Street. Both were hospitalized as a result of the collision. The motorcyclist was taken vee ne. eveevrree se ew to Vancouver Hospital with a possible spinal cord injury. To press time, he was listed in sta- ble condition. He was not paralyzed, according to the North Vancouver RCMP. The man’s name was not released. 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