Orange County teacher contract talks stall over health insurance costs

Contract negotiations between Orange County teachers and Orange County Public Schools remain at a standstill, with disagreements over health insurance costs emerging as a major obstacle to reaching a deal.Teachers say the proposed contract could put a significant financial strain on educators, even as the district has offered salary increases tied to more expensive health insurance plans.One of the biggest sticking points is how to handle $20 million in monthly health insurance maintenance costs, with both sides at odds over who should absorb the expense.The district also rejected a compromise proposal that would have lowered insurance deductibles, leaving the two sides without an agreement on a key issue affecting teachers’ out-of-pocket costs.The dispute highlights the challenge of balancing teacher compensation with the rising cost of health coverage.School district officials and teacher representatives are expected to return to the negotiating table next month as they continue work