Public and private K-12 schools are searching for ways to cut employee hours and otherwise control costs as they respond to the requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).
As with the private sector, the schools are struggling with the new definition of a full-time worker. Under PPACA, someone who works an average of 30 hours a week is considered a full-time employee.
The problem is especially profound for public schools that have been experiencing financial challenges for years as costs have risen while taxpayer support of schools has waned.
Now, the schools are reviewing their use of substitute teachers and support staff to determine how many of them may qualify for benefits.
Besides substitute teachers, others that could fall under the coverage requirement include bus drivers, cafeteria workers and classroom aides.
Typically, schools don't offer a full benefits package (if any benefits at all) to substitutes and to many support staff. The new PPACA 30-hour benchmark could trigger the benefits requirement, experts are saying.
The full-time worker definition is even trickier when it comes to K-12 education, because many employees don't work year-round.
