Board selects Aspirus for employee health plans, approves dental and renews teacher and nurse contracts

Lede: The Stevens Point Area Public School District board on May 6 approved contracting with Aspirus Health Plan (offering Signature and Freedom network options) and Delta Dental for district employee coverage starting July 1, 2025, and approved the district's teacher and nurse contract renewals. The board tabled a separate salary-and-benefits proposal to discuss bargaining strategy in closed session after the teachers' union was certified.

Nut graf: District staff presented two carrier renewal scenarios: a 28.8% renewal from Security Health Plan and a 9.5% renewal proposal from Aspirus that would maintain Marshfield Clinic access for employees who select the Freedom Network with higher cost-sharing. The board chose the Aspirus option and approved the associated plan and dental coverage, and staff outlined timelines for open enrollment and contract distribution.

Discussion details - Insurance renewal: Beth reported a 28.8% renewal from Security Health Plan driven by high claims, and a 9.5% renewal from Aspirus that allows the district to offer both Signature (does not include Marshfield Clinic) and Freedom (includes Marshfield Clinic) networks. The Freedom Network would apply a 20% co-pay for those employees; estimate presented assumed roughly 30% participation in the Freedom Network and a projected premium impact of about $1.8 million. - Employee impacts: Beth said monthly employee premiums (if selecting Freedom Network) would be approximately $3.05 for single coverage and $6.89 for family coverage; Marshfield Clinic users currently represent about 18% of employees. The plans are high-deductible (approx. $3,000 single / $6,000 family) with a health reimbursement arrangement funded by the district. - Motion and approval: Motion to contract with Aspirus (Signature and Freedom networks) and Delta Dental was made by Will and seconded by G; the board approved by voice vote.

Teacher and nurse contracts - The board approved 508 teacher contracts and four nurse contracts on the distribution schedule required (contracts to be distributed by May 15 and returned by June 15). Motion to approve teacher contracts was made by Alex and seconded; voice vote carried.

Salary-and-benefits proposal - The district asked to table the salary-and-benefits proposal because the teachers' union had been certified; the board voted to table the item and said bargaining strategy would be discussed in closed session. No changes to wages were approved at the meeting.

Implementation and next steps - Human Resources will run open enrollment and communicate plan options and estimated employee cost-sharing. Staff indicated open enrollment mechanics typically occur in mid-to-late April in the implementation year. - Negotiations on salary and benefits will continue in closed session and be returned to the board for public action when appropriate.

Attribution: Statements and figures in this article are taken from the May 6 meeting presentation by Beth and associated board discussion.