Antigo board narrows health insurance date change; retirees to keep coverage through June 30 this year

The Unified School District of Antigo Board of Education voted to change when employee health insurance begins and ends, and adopted a one-year exception for retiring staff.

Under the new policy approved by the board, “health insurance coverage shall be available to an eligible employee the first day said employee performs work and shall end on the last day of the month in which the employee last performs work,” with the change taking effect immediately except that retirees will retain coverage through June 30, 2025.

The change drew sustained public comment from retirees and near-retirees who said an earlier end date would leave them with gaps in care or force costly COBRA coverage. “We are asking that you please extend through the June the health benefit,” said Pete Lewandowski, one of nearly 20 district educators retiring this year. Peggy O’Dell, retiring after 29 years with the district, told the board: “Dental, vision, and health insurance should not be discontinued early for retirees.” Ingrid Bussey, a special education teacher, warned: “If the policy passes, they will face a 2 month gap between June and August,” and said many medical appointments cannot be rescheduled.

Board discussion focused on cost and precedent. Dr. Barto, who presented the administration’s recommended change, told the board that extending retirees’ coverage by one month would cost the district “a minimum of $30,000 and as high as a hundred and 13,000.” He also summarized district-held HRA (health reimbursement arrangement) balances and other benefits that, he said, would be available to retirees.

Board member Bobby Braun offered a substitutionary motion to make the administration proposal effective immediately but to preserve retiree coverage through June 30, 2025; Braun said he supported the limited, time‑bound concession for this year. “I feel that especially retirees, deserve through June 30,” Braun said when explaining the motion. Scott Peterson, identifying himself as a former teacher, urged the board to approve the extension and said, “You're owed every penny of that,” referring to retiree benefits earned over long careers.

The board first approved Braun’s substitutionary motion; the substitute then became the main motion and passed. The final approved language keeps the end-of-month rule in place going forward and specifies the one-time effective date of June 30, 2025, for retiring employees. The board did not publish a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes for that vote.

Administration said the policy change will be reflected in the benefits handbook. Board members also agreed the district can revisit the practice in future years when calendar or staffing decisions change.

Background: the item arose after administrators asked employees earlier this school year to notify the district of retirement intent earlier than in past years. That prompted questions about the exact month coverage ends under current practice; the board sought to standardize the date while accommodating this year’s retirees.