According to MAPS Superintendent Nate Robrahn, a letter of agreement was signed on Nov. 12 between the Montague Teachers Education Association and the Montague school board. The switch will save the district roughly $130,000 from January 2013-June 2013, with additional savings for the life of the contract expected to be substantial.

The teachers are currently enrolled in MESSA Choices II plan, but will switch to MESSA ABC plan which are similar in some aspects.

MESSA ABC costs between 10-25 percent less than standard PPO plans and gives members instant savings through lower premiums in exchange for a higher deductible. This plan can be paired with a health savings account.

Another change to the contract is teachers are now guaranteed a daily uninterrupted planning time of 50 minutes per day. It was previously stated that the teachers would get 50 minutes per days, but sometimes that wouldn’t always happen.

The insurance changes will take place in January 2013.