Berlin teachers accept contract with lesser health insurance plan

BERLIN — The district’s school teachers have agreed to a new two-year contract that will save the city over $600,000 by moving to a health insurance plan that the Berlin Education Association head said will shift some health costs to teachers.

Noting it was Teachers Appreciation Week, BEA President Jamie Welch told the city council Monday night that the willingness of the district’s teachers to change health plans will result in “remarkable savings to the city.” But he reminded that council that the new health plan was not an upgrade. Superintendent of School Julie King described the new health insurance policy as “less robust” than the current one.