By Niamh Coomey, The Intelligencer
WHEELING, W.Va. — The Ohio County Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a resolution encouraging state officials to stabilize the Public Employees Insurance Agency, or PEIA.
The resolution outlines the board’s commitment to urge the state to make changes to legislation that will lessen planned premium increases and benefit reductions for educational staff. Board President David Croft said PEIA will be asking taxpayers for an additional $113 million in 2025 to make up for increases in health care costs.
“There is a significant shortage going into next year, which is going to fall on the shoulders of public employees,” Croft said of PEIA.
Wheeling Park High School teacher and Ohio County Education Association member Timothy Triveri proposed the resolution to the board. He emphasized that PEIA instability over recent years has been difficult on public employees and their families.
Triveri and board member Molly Aderholt both noted that issues causing added financial burden, like increasing drug costs, are ongoing nationally and cannot be fixed locally.
