Natomas Charter board approves 2025–26 health benefit increase and revised salary schedule; several routine items also passed

The Natomas Charter District Board of Directors on Monday evening approved an increase to employer health and welfare contributions for 2025–26 and adopted a revised 2025–26 salary schedule that includes a 1% across‑the‑board increase in addition to scheduled step and column movements.

The actions followed staff presentations reviewing rising medical premiums, a four‑tier contribution structure (employee; employee plus dependent; employee plus child/children; family), and projected budget impacts. The district estimated the net additional cost for the benefit contribution change at about $318,000 and the 1% salary increase at about $213,000; step and column movements were estimated at roughly $353,000.

Those two items were part of a consent and action sequence the board moved through after reconvening from closed session. Earlier in the meeting the board approved the evening’s agenda and the consent calendar by roll call.

Why it matters: The board’s vote increases district costs for 2025–26 and affects employee out‑of‑pocket coverage by shifting a larger employer contribution toward single medical/dental/vision coverage. The salary adjustments combine to raise compensation costs for the coming year and are reflected in the district’s budget assumptions.

What the board approved

- Health and welfare contribution increase for 2025–26: Staff presented proposed employer contributions that would cover single medical, dental and vision at the HMO single level and maintain a previously enacted larger family increase. Staff said the proposal was designed to keep single employees fully covered for the lowest HMO option. The district estimated a net cost of about $318,000. The motion passed by roll call (see "Votes at a glance").

- Revised 2025–26 salary schedule: The board approved a 1% across‑the‑board increase for salary schedules, to be applied in addition to step movement and column adjustments already budgeted. Staff estimated the 1% increase would cost about $213,000 and that step/column movement would add roughly $353,000. The motion passed by roll call (see "Votes at a glance").

- Meeting agenda and consent calendar: The board approved routine agenda and consent items by roll call at the start of the open session.

Closed session and other procedural notes

The board adjourned earlier to closed session to consider a public employee performance evaluation pursuant to Government Code section 54954.2 (executive director evaluation). When the meeting reconvened no reportable action was taken from closed session and the open meeting resumed.

Votes at a glance

- Approve agenda — Motion: moved by Doug Gaffney, seconded by Gina (last name not specified). Roll call: Preeti (yes), Gina (yes), Maria (yes), Justin (yes), Doug Gaffney (yes), Sean (yes), Arsenio (yes). Outcome: approved.

- Approve consent items — Motion: mover not specified; second recorded as Justin. Roll call: Preeti (yes), Gina (yes), Maria (yes), Justin (yes), Doug Gaffney (yes), Sean (yes), Arsenio (yes). Outcome: approved.

- Approve 2025–26 health and welfare contribution increase — Motion: mover/second not specified in the transcript excerpt. Roll call recorded: Britney (yes), Gina (yes), Maria (yes), Justin (yes), Doug Gaffney (yes), Sean (yes), Arsenio (yes). Tally: unanimous among those voting in the recorded roll call. Outcome: approved. Notes: estimated net additional district cost about $318,000; four‑tier employer contribution model described in staff materials.

- Approve revised 2025–26 salary schedules (1% across the board plus step/column movement) — Motion: moved by Preeti and Gina (as a second was recorded). Roll call: Preeti (yes), Gina (yes), Maria (yes), Justin (yes), Doug Gaffney (yes), Sean (yes), Arsenio (yes). Tally: unanimous among those voting in the recorded roll call. Outcome: approved. Notes: staff estimated the 1% increase at about $213,000 and step/column movement at about $353,000.

What the board did not do

The board did not take any reportable action from the closed session public‑employee evaluation; when the meeting reconvened staff reported no further action was taken.

Where to find the record

Board packets and the full meeting minutes should contain the formal motion language, the staff report with attached cost tables, and the official roll‑call record. The district indicated attachments with the proposed rates and salary schedule were included in the board materials.

Ending note

Board members and staff said the district will continue finalizing budget development for 2025–26 with the newly approved benefit and salary assumptions included in planning documents.