[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6272237,"mediaKeyId","3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8","parentId",3028004,"title","Hudson board delays vote on employee benefit renewal after staff and public push for more review","audioSeconds",5372,"startMs",1632000,"endMs",7004000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8&start=1632&end=7004","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8/thumbnail_1632000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272237/Wisconsin/Hudson-board-delays-vote-on-employee-benefit-renewal-after-staff-and-public-push-for-more-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272237-755dda68c1b1c050d68b71e83b99717c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894967&Signature=co257JvXa~9QlZ8gOfidxifTXNRomhZGMNNOM9hMyAmtOGUSzB24PDDgj50wBUH053WUdUIW13Py7Dfv6XJ20LcV5FZc9w2oGE8MQKGhr1nF-fGp8FRTmQw4YOPCASQf~VyEJJp8yDvWIVykz~Pd81NJ1SLA-xQg2yBJSrlUtyXTQeQFvnl5~wVHWN3GiVOF30RiEhVfHyTbMLPey73GOwLKZySwckMhsO02YZ9APIQuwaxigEtdxVA4IxKRhqFMF4qYVbgPZ6~lf0krTe8NPtTKKcMrvPws3M3pmDemq5LcDXXaKLXXLFowCW3nyUYf1wN3ayomDraSxLQBntYWtw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Hudson School District, WI","date","2025-04-17T00:23:05.763Z","article","Hudson School District trustees on April 14 voted to table action on the proposed 2025–26 employee benefit renewal and move the issue to a work session after multiple staff members and community speakers urged the board to allow more review and input before changing plan design or employee costs.

The board’s tabling motion came after district staff told trustees the district’s current plan year is running at 128% of expected claims and faces a projected $2.2 million deficit; under HealthPartners’ renewal estimate trustees were shown a possible 25% premium increase for next year that would add roughly $2.5 million to the district’s cost. Administrators and consultants presented a package of cost-control options that included a higher employee copay for certain weight‑loss medications, a new restricted “Achieve” network option with lower premiums, and higher coinsurance for some specialty drugs.

Administrators said the district’s budget had originally assumed about an $800,000 increase in premiums; the 25% renewal projection would raise the district’s exposure by roughly $1.7 million above that planning assumption. The administration also warned that the district must finalize plan changes before employee open enrollment; open enrollment normally begins in early May, and staff said a May 12–15 decision would be needed to preserve a reasonable enrollment window.

Why it matters: The benefit renewal affects staff take-home pay and the district budget. Board members and staff framed the choice as part of a larger budgeting trade-off: controlling benefits costs, using one‑time fund balance, cutting programs or accepting a larger long‑term structural deficit.

What administrators proposed

- Claims and renewal: Staff reported plan-year claims at 128% of expected and an estimated $2.2 million deficit to date; HealthPartners’ market renewal estimate was about 25%.
- Weight‑loss medications: Administrators recommended increasing the employee copay for drugs such as Wegovy (a class of GLP-1 medicines) to $300 per month rather than dropping the benefit entirely, noting the district had about 150 participants using the drug and that eliminating coverage would reduce premiums by an estimated 5%.
- Network option: Offer two plans — the district’s current open access plan and a lower‑cost Achieve network that restricts providers (Hudson Physicians and other HealthPartners providers are included) and would reduce employer and employee premiums if participants choose it.
- Specialty drugs: Move specialty drug coinsurance toward benchmark levels (consultant recommendation shown) to reduce plan cost exposure.
- Dental: Delta Dental renewal proposals recommended shifting incentives toward preventive care (100% preventive coverage) and lowering coinsurance on restorative/crown work; the administration said the change would not increase premiums.

Public comment and staff input

Several staff members urged the board to delay action and obtain feedback from the Teacher Advisory Committee (TAC) and the insurance advisory committee before adopting major changes. Rachel Miller, a 34‑year district teacher and parent of a Hudson student with special needs, said: “Big changes that would be made would be absolutely devastating…Big changes without prior serious discussion and no feedback from those that would be impacted is frightening.”

Scott Ellingson, a long‑time teacher who also serves on the insurance committee, said the committee had not recommended large premium jumps: “We did not say, ‘go ahead and put the rates up really high.’” He urged the board to postpone until TAC and the insurance committee could weigh in.

Board discussion and next steps

Trustees discussed tradeoffs among salary increases, program cuts and benefit cost sharing. Some trustees proposed using limited fund balance as a short‑term bridge if the final decision required a milder immediate impact on employees; others warned against relying on fund balance for ongoing costs.

The board voted to table the proposal and move the item to the upcoming work session for further review, public input and additional scenarios. Administrators said they could extend open enrollment a short time if the board made a timely decision (staff recommended a May 12 action at the latest to allow a meaningful open‑enrollment window). The board did not adopt any of the plan changes discussed on April 14.

Ending note

The board requested additional modeling and comparables from other districts, asked staff to convene the insurance advisory committee and recommended that TAC be invited to provide prioritized feedback before the work session vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hudson Schools - April 14, 2025 - Regular School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Hudson School District trustees on April 14 voted to table action on the proposed 2025–26 employee benefit renewal and move the issue to a work session after staff and public speakers urged more time for input.","taxTitle","Hudson School District, School Districts, Wisconsin","taxId",38635,"location","Wisconsin","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6272223,"Hudson Safe reports senior all‑night party registration at more than 50%; seeks volunteers and setup help",181,2599000,2780000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8&start=2599&end=2780","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8/thumbnail_2599000.jpg","/articles/6272223/Wisconsin/Hudson-Safe-reports-senior-allnight-party-registration-at-more-than-50-seeks-volunteers-and-setup-help","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272223-5453f3352390cff0c24fc656f2e7ba3c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894967&Signature=P7oWhqxykUo8JhRbtNQgoQHTO1TCyxzBQAio77loy1U1JIFVcDmbj~~X7wHoDfAHff9aMvZg6jx1MnPHP5jDU4EBm2PZY7jiPsywM12RG3fsQA8qCkdEV3b4y0pfe-ml0IrO4zZ7gGB9AtiRlV7fd4jyhe-mMnMhkofDsKp8DrqWLfQfXVF7j57TVEzv6mTTrQeC4PKj7SA6SbHgjX1LPPUoXPxTtBUG4i7vvAFcK6U~E2Gvd5wqJEgqp4nstW1FsL9YtXwol8jDR~p7FX8uG8Q6DLkWyUoOFwNrmpr5G4wR3ucMvfUmAFEaMhV90Rcqo8QsjQW1wH6DCHYpVZUOPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alicia Schneider, co‑president of the nonprofit Hudson Safe, updated the board on planning for the senior all‑night party on May 23, telling trustees more than half the senior class had registered and that fund‑raising goals are mostly met. Schneider said organizers have covered most expenses and expect registrations to cover remaining costs.

Organizers said the main volunteer shortfall is for Friday evening setup (roughly 13% of the volunteer needs met so far). Schneider said the event’s QR registration code and volunteer sign‑up are available on Hudson Safe’s Facebook page and hudsonsafe.org, and reminded interested volunteers they must have a background check on file with the district.

Board members and outgoing trustees encouraged community volunteers to help, noting the event’s long history and role in preventing late‑night graduation‑related incidents.

Ending note

Organizers invited current and incoming board members to volunteer at the event.","Hudson Safe co‑president Alicia Schneider told the board the senior all‑night party on May 23 has more than 50% of the senior class registered; organizers said they remain short on setup volunteers and invited board members and community volunteers to sign up.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6272228,"District reports construction progress and middle‑school math gains; high‑school algebra adopts new curriculum resource",618,3363000,3981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8&start=3363&end=3981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8/thumbnail_3363000.jpg","/articles/6272228/Wisconsin/District-reports-construction-progress-and-middleschool-math-gains-highschool-algebra-adopts-new-curriculum-resource","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272228-c4026e23a9f85c97b0876f9949081a2a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894967&Signature=U~fHIjzk7unWVx6eBu67dQwIMCqGIoX1oXHFOK8olGPP9ERN0850MhYkC6ouWOYfGt4~1dj5HIBsPUF9wvltkLgTk4bNxc0LHFYPL4pw8psV4mtmsETaVJu9QqTxU48W84vTJCTv4OiI6oqExfHwBbVPisj4DM31Znq2jMFBe8i1bzCCu-PUXLg3lv20P81Z2HMtZB~jpufKZEpAmabSxDGlCkwJ7F6yUvkXGpNZUAvAAm6KXYfasD-pDaBYSOeasPmFOvMyrkn6ocv7Q9LTQeZgTwXbpe8ykt4IUDh49KVb4x-RT~EM0oF28~ACL73afwFqARdGD1UgnBPKL9sotw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hudson School District leaders on April 14 gave the board a mid‑year construction update and presented data showing improved middle‑school math performance after a multi‑year curriculum rollout. Administrators also described the algebra curriculum selected for high school courses and highlighted student math achievements.

Construction progress and schedule

District staff showed photos and a status report for multiple projects under the district’s capital program. Highlights included progress at the middle school pool and mechanical systems (projected to be back in service by June 1), remodeled classroom space turnovers, retaining wall and chiller placement behind the middle school, secure‑entry construction at EP Rock, and classroom and exterior work at North Hudson Elementary.

Administrators noted one notable change order: approximately $63,000 at EP Rock to extend interior walls to the roof deck where ceiling removal exposed gaps that would compromise acoustic separation; the administration said other unforeseen conditions have produced additional, manageable change orders but that the overall program remains on budget and on schedule.

Pool work: staff said the middle‑school pool holds about 325,000 gallons and that draining is done at roughly 2,000 gallons per minute; before discharge the district neutralizes pool chemistry and releases water to the storm system, which flows to an on‑site pond.

Why it matters: The projects are part of the district’s recently approved capital plan funded by the referendum; administrators told trustees the program remains on time and on budget and that summer moves and classroom turnovers will be intensive.

Middle‑school mathematics results

Instructional staff presented beginning‑of‑year and mid‑year assessments from the district’s adopted HMH curriculum for sixth through eighth grades. Erin Larson, an instructional coach at the middle school, reported rising percentages of students scoring on and above grade level across sixth, seventh and eighth grades; in eighth grade, administrators said mid‑year results this year exceeded the previous year’s end‑of‑year performance.

High‑school algebra curriculum

Instructional leaders described the high‑school algebra adoption process used this year (vendor vetting, teacher review against internal rubrics, and teacher presentations). Teachers selected Savvas (a Pearson brand) for a unified sequence of Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II. The purchase includes classroom textbooks, student consumable workbooks, and robust online tools with adaptive practice. Administrators said the resource will provide consistent course standards between middle and high school and that tutoring, in‑school intervention hours and tutor.com remain available as student support.

Student recognition

Board members recognized two Hudson High School students, Beth and Tori Peel, who participated in the University of Wisconsin‑River Falls integration bee; the board congratulated one student for winning the competition.

Ending note

Administrators said teachers and district staff will continue implementation work this spring and summer and will bring additional updates on construction turnovers and curriculum metrics later this year.","Hudson administrators reported construction milestones across multiple schools, said the middle‑school math program is showing measurable gains, and described adoption of a new high‑school algebra sequence (Savvas/Pearson) with online and print supports. The board received data showing increases in on‑level and above proficiency in middle grades.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6272232,"Referendum narrowly passes after recount; three top vote‑getters to join Hudson board",104,2312000,2416000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8&start=2312&end=2416","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3028004-98cdfb02af2ba64888134d735691a6a8/thumbnail_2312000.jpg","/articles/6272232/Wisconsin/Referendum-narrowly-passes-after-recount-three-top-votegetters-to-join-Hudson-board","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272232-a14dae268c30353ff16c4494a12f6c88/orig.mp4?Expires=1770894967&Signature=mRsB450aqMTmQEu-UmVA1M~qBigPJVGWzyAwfbdIhbLW84LFdjUaEVrFJu41GmiT9uzrJCmfidab29QOgolQqvseGfE7JmEBYdJxvLROaJ7UXZ~GxiVLmasNUJNTPijrnLR95PjPkuFfHtvjpKGWjG8N5LZ6nK2ubpcbpLGJuk3aywOn4BH1mo3b3kqrwbfZO21DETwJkYvj2i92Q-8JWm-HohDhqAQ5T~AOJDPi1B~TCQFAbCRdZxvW7n8xV12VuGFDnQOhc6uqCIihCK3D0qJX3ZQDEUdACboKcyL~3KaAj6zIQdAgM9lmAf8IuU7bWyytvmeehS4gt8BD~860vg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Hudson School District officials reported on April 14 that the district’s referendum passed following a recount requested under state election rules. The board’s canvassers, working with St. Croix County staff, completed the recount within two days and confirmed the final tally at 7,412 to 7,406.

The district reported its top three vote getters in the board election were Brian Dahl, Aaron Gerlach and Maria Rudy. Administrators explained that Rudy will serve the remainder of a three‑year term and that seat will be up for election again the following April.

Why it matters: The referendum’s narrow margin — six votes would have reversed the outcome — required rapid mobilization of personnel and equipment for a recount. Administrators thanked the county clerk’s office, local clerks and volunteers for facilitating ballot security and counting logistics.

Canvass and recount process

District staff said they received the recount petition Tuesday and, with assistance from the county, secured counting machines and trained volunteers to conduct the recount on Thursday and into the evening; the process continued into Friday to complete counting and verification. The canvass team reported finding only one small change in vote totals during the recount; that change did not affect the final referendum outcome.

What’s next

Administrators indicated they will finalize paperwork related to the canvass and recount and move forward with transition planning for incoming board members.","The district canvass and a requested recount confirmed passage of the recent referendum by a 7‑vote margin. The board's canvassers and county staff conducted a recount over two days; administrators listed the top three vote getters who will join the board.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Hudson board delays vote on employee benefit renewal after staff and public push for more review

Hudson Safe reports senior all‑night party registration at more than 50%; seeks volunteers and setup help

District reports construction progress and middle‑school math gains; high‑school algebra adopts new curriculum resource

Referendum narrowly passes after recount; three top vote‑getters to join Hudson board