Board approves one‑time option for eligible retirees to revert to Medicare supplemental plan

The Ithaca City School District Board of Education on April 29 approved a resolution authorizing a one‑time opportunity for eligible retired employees to revert to the Medicare Supplemental F plan underwritten by The Hartford.

A board member moved the resolution and it was seconded by Board member Emily. During discussion, board members asked procedural and outreach questions, including whether previous offers had used Blue Cross Blue Shield and how the district would reach retirees who might live out of state.

District staff said the resolution had been vetted by multiple attorneys and the district’s third‑party administrator. Staff also said the group of retirees eligible for the offer had already been identified through the attorneys and the administrator, and the district would perform an additional outreach check to ensure retirees who did not receive previous notices were contacted.

A board member raised concerns that some retirees in a prior offering had reported not receiving notice; staff and trustees said they would perform a “triple check” and use the district’s records and the retirees’ active networks to publicize the option. The board voted; the chair announced the motion passed unanimously for those present, including an online vote cast by Aaron.

The motion authorizes the district to implement the one‑time enrollment option as described in the presented resolution. Board members characterized the adoption as a step forward though not a complete solution to longstanding retiree health‑insurance issues. The board did not adopt additional changes to retiree benefits or set an implementation schedule at the meeting; staff will follow up on outreach and the administrative steps needed to implement the resolution.