On Sept. 23, 2025, Unit District 196’s board approved the district’s employee health insurance renewal for the period Nov. 1, 2025, through Oct. 31, 2026. District staff said the insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, guaranteed a 10.5% renewal increase as part of a second-year pricing arrangement with the district; staff had earlier projected a possible increase as high as 32–34% based on claims experience.

The administration told the board that the guaranteed 10.5% increase reduces potential volatility compared with neighboring districts that saw larger increases. Staff also said family-tier premiums increased and that the district will continue covering single-employee premiums as before. The board approved the renewal.

District presenters emphasized that future renewals could vary and said they will monitor claims and engage brokers to manage plan design and cost. Staff noted that national market trends and high-claim events can materially affect premiums and that the district will revisit plan choices next year if necessary.

The board voted to approve the renewal during the meeting; no changes to plan design were adopted during the session.