Teachers Union 'Saddened' by Part-Time Staff Cuts

A representative for the Southern Lehigh Education Association—the union which represents the district's teachers—told school board members Monday that the SLEA is "deeply saddened" by a recent board decision to reduce the hours of part-time workers in the district.

The decision was made in an effort to minimize the impact of Obamacare on rising health care costs.

Many provisions of the Affordable Care Act—also known as Obamacare—will take effect on Jan. 1, 2014.

Timothy Gill told the board the SLEA is particularly concerned about maintaining the level of instructional assistance in the district.

"We share that concern," board member Thomas McLoughlin said, after Gill had finished reading a brief statement. "These are challenging times." 

“The implications of the Affordable Care Act, as it continues to be enacted,” need to be balanced with the interests of the taxpaying public, he added.