Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) has declared an impasse with its teachers union over proposed cost hikes for health insurance, arguing they are crucial to avoid a financial crisis. The district has declared impasse, a declaration that contract negotiations are at a standstill. The union called the decision "deeply disappointing" and expressed hope to continue negotiations. The proposed insurance hikes for teachers would represent an almost 400% increase from current figures. The higher health insurance costs would effectively mean a pay cut for many of the district's about 13,000 teachers. OCPS operates a "self-insured" employee benefits trust and contributes part of its budget to provide health insurance benefits to employees.