Staff health insurance costs jump 21%, adding about $330,000 to the budget

What happened

The district's health plan renewal rises 21% for 2026-27. After 16.5% last year and 5% the year before, rates are up 41% over two years. Staff showed three options. Keeping the same plan adds $409,464; moving to a lower-cost employer-paid plan (PPO6) adds about $330,420.

Why it matters to families

Health costs are a growing share of a budget that has no growth in student numbers. The 2026-27 budget also lists a 21% health insurance increase and a smaller raise of 1.5%.

The evidence

The March 10 presentation lists CEBT renewal increases of 5% (2024-25), 16.5% (2025-26) and 21% (2026-27), and three options costing $409,464, $330,420 and $253,200 more. The April 14 minutes say the district is incorporating the PPO6 plan into the preliminary budget. The June budget slides list a 21% health insurance increase and a move from PPO 4 and 5 to PPO 5 and 6.

The source