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School committee directs superintendent to shop private paid family medical leave plans
Summary
Lewiston Public Schools voted to authorize the superintendent to seek private insurance plans comparable to state paid family medical leave rules, citing potential short‑term savings and the state approval requirement for private plans.
The Lewiston Public Schools school committee voted Monday to direct the superintendent to solicit and evaluate private paid family medical leave plans that the state would approve as comparable to the statutory program.
Superintendent Jake Kling and Chief Financial Officer Adam Hansen told the committee the district is evaluating private plans because an approved private option would let the district delay employer and employee contributions to the plan until benefits begin in May 2026 and could yield short‑term savings. Kling said the district expects potential savings of more than $200,000 on current quarter contributions if it secures a private, state‑approved plan and meets the state’s submission deadlines.
“Right now those are the staff paying in,” Hansen said, explaining that contribution timing depends on collective bargaining cycle dates; if the district shifts to a private plan, deductions would stop immediately and benefits would be administered by the private insurer once the plan goes live. Hansen and Kling emphasized that any private plan must be approved by the state as “comparable” or “substantially similar” to the statutory program.
The committee discussed timing and risk. District staff advised the committee the deadline to opt into a private plan and avoid contributions for the current April–June quarter is May 31, and recommended submitting materials by May 21 to allow the state time to review. Staff also noted that state law and pending legislation could change; if the state program were repealed, the district’s obligations would change accordingly.
Member Bowen moved and a colleague seconded a motion directing the superintendent to “shop” for a private option and return with recommended plans; the motion passed with no recorded opposition.
The committee did not adopt a specific plan Monday. District staff said they will continue to collect quotes and present a recommended plan and required state filings to the committee on the timeline that meets the state’s review window.
