The Central Bucks School District is under fire for denying benefits to the same-sex spouse of an employee.
At its Nov. 12 meeting, the district’s board took testimony from community members who urged the panel to reverse a previous decision against extending the benefits. Board president Stephen Corr said the district is in arbitration with the employee, who married her partner in Delaware.
The employee brought the issue to the board Oct. 22.
When inquiring about the district’s health-insurance plan, the employee was told that the wording used in the policy prevented the district from providing her partner benefits. But minutes from the Oct. 9 meeting of the board’s Human Resources Committee showed that the committee voted against offering the benefits until same-sex marriage is legal in Pennsylvania.
The district currently offers two health-insurance plans to its employees — an HMO through Aetna and a PPO through Amerihealth. The Aetna plan offers coverage for “legal spouses,” while the Amerihealth plan only covers spouses of the opposite sex.
After Corr’s statement, students, parents, staff and community members were allowed to express their opinions on the matter. All of the 13 speakers were in favor of the district extending benefits to same-sex couples.
According to the Pennsylvania Student Equality Coalition, one resident said she was “shocked” by the board’s actions, while several others urged the panel not to be a “dinosaur” when it came to LGBT rights.
PSEC reported that Bucks County Human Relations Councilmember Marlene Pray pressed the board to move swiftly and transparently.
“You keep saying this issue was not before the committee or board, but I hope you will consider it before you now,” Pray said.
The Human Resources Committee met Nov. 13 to discuss its role in the arbitration process.
