The Socorro Independent School District (SISD) Board of Trustees convened for a special meeting on September 30, 2025, to discuss key issues surrounding employee health care plans and potential incentives for participation. The meeting began with a focus on the consumer-driven health care plan, which has garnered attention for its lower premiums compared to the base plan.

A board member shared personal insights about switching to the consumer-driven health plan, highlighting the benefits of utilizing a health savings account (HSA) to manage medical expenses. This prompted discussions on how to incentivize more employees to transition from the base plan to the consumer-driven option. Suggestions included increasing the district's contribution to the HSA from the current $800 per employee per year, which had previously boosted participation from 4% to 12%.

The board explored various strategies to enhance employee engagement with the consumer-driven plan, including potentially raising the district's contribution from $5.55 to $6.50 per month. The aim is to provide employees with more flexibility and financial support while also considering the long-term savings for the district.

Further discussions addressed the fairness of the current tiered premium structure. One board member expressed concerns about the uniformity of costs across different tiers, advocating for a more equitable distribution based on actual usage. This perspective emphasized the need for a tiered approach that reflects the varying health care needs of employees.

As the meeting progressed, the board acknowledged the importance of making informed decisions regarding health care options. They indicated that further analysis would be required to assess the financial implications of proposed changes. A follow-up workshop was suggested for October to continue these discussions, with the intention of presenting recommendations at the upcoming November board meeting.

In conclusion, the SISD Board of Trustees is actively seeking ways to enhance employee health care options while balancing costs for both the district and its employees. The discussions from this meeting will inform future decisions aimed at improving health care participation and equity among staff.