School Board Approves Health Insurance Hikes to Cover Funding Deficit

A school board approved increases to employee health insurance plans following an eight-hour hearing. The decision was made to address a looming $145 million deficit in the insurance funds, which is attributed to surging costs. While teachers will receive raises between 1.98% and 2.65%, the cost of health insurance premiums and deductibles will increase more steeply for employees.

The hikes are necessary to keep the district's self-insured fund solvent, as the costs of the insurance fund have risen by 76% in the last 10 years. This increase significantly outpaces the 28% rise in revenues generated from employee premiums.