Socorro ISD trustees review options to cover multi‑million‑dollar health plan shortfall

Trustees of the Socorro ISD Board of Trustees on Sept. 30 reviewed options to address a projected shortfall in the district’s employee health fund for the 2026 plan year, including a committee recommendation to increase employee contributions by $117 per month and to reduce the number of plan choices.

The discussion came during a board workshop presentation by Mario Carmona, Director of Employee Benefits and Rates Management, who outlined recommendations from the district’s Employee Benefits Advisory Committee and several funding scenarios for 2026 in light of current claims forecasts.

The advisory committee "included a increase in contributions of 117 per employee per month," Carmona said. The committee also recommended moving from three plan offerings to two (keeping the base plan and a consumer‑driven health plan with a health savings account, and closing the richer "Premier" plan to new enrollees), modifying coverage levels and deductibles, and pursuing pharmacy cost‑containment and wellness programs through Aetna.

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