St. Mary Parish School Board adopts 2025–26 budget, approves insurance renewals and agrees to cover Medicare retirees' premium increase

ST. MARY PARISH, La. — The St. Mary Parish School Board on Sept. 11 adopted its consolidated operating budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, approved multiple insurance renewals and voted to cover a scheduled premium increase for the district's Medicare Advantage retirees.

The board adopted the FY2025'1026 resolution as presented and approved a package of insurance renewals, including liability, automobile, errors-and-omissions and cyber policies that together totaled about $692,036 for the coming year, an increase of roughly $96,000 over expiring coverage. Board members also voted to absorb a $44 per-member monthly increase to the district's Medicare Advantage plan so retirees will not see a premium change.

Why it matters: The adopted budget and insurance decisions affect district finances and local staffing plans. The board's decision to pay the full Medicare Advantage premium increase shifts the cost from retirees to the district budget, and staff said the budget keeps in place pay provisions currently supported by a parish sales tax that expires in June 2026.

Board action and key details

- Operating budget: The board approved the consolidated operating budget for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, as…