Board names Alliant Insurance broker for dental, vision and voluntary benefits; contract to be evaluated through September

The Amador County Unified School District board voted April 16 to appoint Alliant Insurance Services Inc. as the district’s exclusive broker and consultant for dental, vision and voluntary employee benefits, with a proposed effective date of May 1, 2025.

District staff told trustees the change would transfer broker services currently provided by NewFront to Alliant for dental, vision and voluntary benefits and would not increase costs to the district or employees during the initial transition. Administration estimated the commission paid for dental and vision would decline from an estimated $80,000 to about $70,000 annually under Alliant’s proposal.

Alliant’s presenter stressed the company’s experience with public entities and said the firm could expand the district’s options by soliciting quotes from pooled providers such as the Self Insured Schools of California (CISC). Staff also said there was no guarantee CISC would quote the district and noted other implementation risks: a potential, though unspecified, impact on existing relationships with NewFront and routine transition risks.

Union and community speakers at the meeting raised concerns about staffing and district priorities. Jeannie Jensen, speaking for the Amador County Teachers Association, argued board resources should prioritize classroom supports — such as RTI teachers, aides and behavioral staff — rather than adding district office positions or reallocating funds to administrative contracts. Board members asked staff to provide more usage data for dual‑enrollment and adult education items that appeared elsewhere on the agenda.

Trustees who spoke in favor of the Alliant appointment said the firm’s communications and administrative support could improve employee understanding of benefits while the district completes a broader review of medical coverage. The appointment was described by staff as an interim step — effectively a “test drive” through the end of the fiscal transition window — to allow staff to assess Alliant’s services prior to any final medical‑plan decisions scheduled for later this year.

The motion to approve Alliant as broker passed on a roll call vote. Trustees instructed staff to continue outreach with employees about the pending change and to return with data and options as the district evaluates its full benefits package prior to the October 1 plan year.