Administration warns of planned health-insurance rate increases; special-education presentation moved to Nov. 25

A district administrator told the Timberlane budget committee that health-insurance carriers notified the district of guaranteed maximum rate increases for two plans — 9.4% and 12.4% — and that four existing plans are being discontinued. The administrator said 53% of employees are enrolled in the lower-cost plan and 17% in the higher-cost plan; roughly 30% of employees are on plans being discontinued, creating uncertainty about the district’s future insurance mix.

The administrator described the rates as “guaranteed maximum rates” and said the district is budgeting to the higher scenario “because it's tied directly to our employees and consists of such a large sum.” Committee members were told the final cost will depend on employees’ plan selections and on collective-bargaining outcomes. The administrator also said the district is continuing to meet with town select boards about payment schedules and is preparing to present budget-reduction recommendations to the school board on Nov. 7.

On committee procedure, members voted to move the special-education presentation originally scheduled for Nov. 14 to Nov. 25 to allow staff more time to model variables that affect special-education projections. The motion to reschedule was made during the meeting and seconded; the calendar change was agreed to by the committee.

No legal authority was cited during the discussion beyond references to collective-bargaining contracts and the district’s need to meet payroll and vendor obligations. Committee members asked for additional detail during upcoming personnel and special-education presentations.