Humboldt Unified board approves switch to Asbate insurance after staff push; vote 4-1

The Humboldt Unified School District governing board voted to approve Asbate (Aetna network) as the district's health insurance provider for the 2025-26 fiscal year, with the motion passing on a 4-1 vote.

Board President Wolcott moved to approve the change and Board Member Sprague seconded the motion. Board members Maison and Anurvek voted in favor; Board Member Dillinger (also recorded in the meeting as Dellinger) voted no. The board carried the motion and President Wolcott closed the item after calling the vote.

The vote followed more than an hour of public comments and board discussion about the process, timeline and trade-offs between network coverage and district savings. Several district employees told the board they felt the timetable for deciding a new insurance provider was too short and that the board should have given staff more time and information before voting. "We felt very unheard," said Diane Brenco, who identified herself as a district employee, during public participation. "87% of the staff wanted to…