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La Porte ISD outlines FY2026 budget calendar and insurance-broker transition to Higginbotham Public Sector
Summary
CFO Stacy presented the six-month budget calendar for FY2026 and a timeline to switch the district's insurance consulting services to Higginbotham Public Sector with implementation targeted for a September plan year start.
La Porte ISD Chief Financial Officer Stacy presented the district’s fiscal calendar for fiscal year 2026 and detailed a planned transition of non-health insurance brokerage services to Higginbotham Public Sector (HBS).
Stacy told trustees the budget process is a roughly six-month effort that begins in January with campus and department allotments. Key calendar notes: allocations to budget managers were scheduled for Jan. 22; campus and departmental budget entry is due before spring break (target March 14); a budget workshop is tentatively planned for April 22 to address compensation, and the board review and adoption of the FY2026 budget is targeted for the June 10 board meeting.
Stacy also described a broker transition. The district is shifting its third-party administrator/insurance consultant role from the current provider to Higginbotham Public Sector (HBS). The board packet indicated the broker-of-record letter was completed and carriers were notified; HBS was scheduled to meet the district on Feb. 5 to review current benefits and prepare packet materials for ancillary insurance lines. HBS will receive census and employee data, go out to bid in March and present price results after spring break. Implementation and open-enrollment planning will continue through summer with an effective plan year start of Sept. 1 under the new service platform.
Stacy said HBS will build the district’s enrollment site (“benefits hub”), coordinate TRS notification steps required by Texas Retirement System rules for transitions, and work with payroll to test deduction files to ensure a smooth changeover. She said some employee meetings and on-site enrollment support are planned for the mid-July through mid-August open-enrollment window.
Trustees asked about employee communications and virtual information sessions; Stacy said the consultant will be available in person and by phone and that the district will schedule on-site coverage and multiple reminders during open enrollment.
Board members praised inclusion of compensation planning early in the budget schedule and thanked finance staff for the calendar and transition plan.
