The selectmen recently repealed and replaced a retired teacher health plan that has been mainstream in Harvard for 45-plus years: the GIC Retired Municipal Teachers health insurance plan. A cold, calculated act that inflicts serious financial stress on Harvard’s 75 retired teachers. Imagine being 70-plus years old and now confronting, in some cases, unmanageable premium increases. This warrants much closer scrutiny.
Apparently, according to town administration, four or more affected retired teachers did not receive mandatory written notifications. Worse yet, the Board of Selectmen ignored the unanimous vote of the retired teachers to not change their current plan.
But let’s set the legalese stuff aside for a moment.
This underrepresented group of retired teachers is emblematic of much, if not all, that Harvard has held dear for generations. Many dedicated significant portions of their careers to Harvard’s children. They represent the former leadership and foundation of Harvard’s highly regarded educational system. And now, when they need it most and felt they could depend on Harvard, the board rips the financial carpet from underneath their aging feet. To be clear, this is not a freebie or handout. It is quite simply a retirement benefit, hard earned, in exchange for each teacher’s many years of service. Promises made. Promises broken. Trust betrayed.
It remains to be seen where the School Committee stands on all of this. It is not clear if they were ever consulted by the selectmen. Yet, consider the consequences. Minimally, it undermines the precious bond of trust that the School Committee strives to build with its teachers. Potentially worse yet, it seems to strike a corrosive blow at the very foundation and heart of the School Committee’s mission and core values, which read, “The Harvard Public Schools community, a leader in educational excellence, guides each student to realize his or her highest potential … ” How can the School Committee expect educational excellence when its teachers, the current leaders of that pursuit, see their retired colleagues being treated so harshly?
Like many communities, Harvard has its challenges. I respectfully submit, however, that this is not the way to address them.
Keith Cheveralls
Whitington, Vermont
Editor’s note: Keith Cheveralls is a former chairman of the School Committee and a past member of the Capital Planning and Investment Committee.
