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Board hears 31.9% health-insurance increase; approves consent motions and minutes
Summary
At the Sept. 15 Pequannock Township Board of Education meeting, administrators reported a 31.9% projected increase in district health-insurance premiums effective Jan. 1, 2026, and the board approved multiple consent and policy items by roll call.
At the Pequannock Township Board of Education's Sept. 15 regular meeting at Cedar Crest, a district staff member reported a projected 31.9% increase in health-insurance premiums beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and the board approved routine agenda items, including minutes and consent bundles, by unanimous roll calls of members present.
Board staff report: Board staff member Mr. Gibbs told the board that new rates for the district's health plan "starting 01/01/2026, there will be a 31.9% increase." Gibbs said the district's insurance agent, Brown & Brown, had recommended issuing a request for proposals (RFP) because many client districts represented by the same agent were seeking new bids given the large premium increase.
Gibbs also told the board the district had received public-record requests for vendor and staff information (dated back to Jan. 2021) and that those requests were honored in accordance with state guidelines. On facilities, he said a percolation (perk) test for a proposed new board office was completed Sept. 8 and that an underground tank will require investigation to determine whether the state Department of Environmental Protection will need to be notified.
Food-service notice: Gibbs reminded families that free and reduced-price lunch information and applications are on the school's website under Food Service.
Board action and votes: The board took roll-call votes to approve minutes and move sets of consent agenda items. Those motions passed on unanimous recorded votes of members present (Pompeo absent). The board also approved a policy item and several committee consent bundles; the meeting transcript records roll-call "Yes" votes from the same set of board members for each motion.
Votes at a glance - Approval of minutes (08/18/2025 and 09/02/2025): motion moved; roll-call vote recorded as all members present voting yes; outcome: approved. - PMC items PMC-49-26 through PMC-64-26: motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as all members present voting yes; outcome: approved. - CIS items CIS-16-26 through CIS-27-26: motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as all members present voting yes; outcome: approved. - FFA items FFA-36-26 through FFA-47-26: motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as all members present voting yes; outcome: approved. - Policy PO-4-26: motion moved and seconded; roll-call vote recorded as all members present voting yes; outcome: approved.
Finance implications: Superintendent Portis and board members said a 31.9% increase in state health-benefit program costs is a significant budget concern because the local tax levy is constrained by a 2% cap under the state funding framework; Portis said districts face increasing cost pressures even where local support is strong. Gibbs and Portis said the recommended RFP will seek alternative plans and rates.
Next steps: The board did not take a formal vote on the RFP itself at this meeting; Gibbs said the RFP was on the agenda and that the district's agent recommended going to market given the size of the increase. The percolation test report and the underground storage-tank investigation were described as pending follow-up items.
Ending: After questions on books, technology and curriculum from residents and brief superintendent responses, the board adjourned. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 6 at the high school.
