T Hi,
All this does not sound right. My DH works for our school district and has been out on medical leave several times. His medical premiums do need to be paid somehow but paying it yourself is cheaper then paying the medical bills out of pocket. I even think COBRA is for when you lose your job but since you are still employed on leave you should be given the option of paying your premiums straight to the district yourself. If your premiums are too high with the whole family on there you can take everyone off and just pay for yourself until you get back to work. With DH, the District either dipped into the sick leave pool to pay them or went ahead and paid the premiums and when he went back to work they deducted a portion from his check each month to pay themselves back. Sounds like you have some idiots in the ESC building! It's all the same WA State Government! But maybe that explains it. Remember, squeaky wheel gets the grease. Definately call your union.