Board hears presentation on supplemental-insurance options, staff recommends evaluating OSBA/Hartford consortium rates

The board discussed supplemental insurance options for 2026–27 and a possible move to consortium purchasing.

Mr. Reisner (S15) introduced the item and said the goal was to share information and collect board feedback before enrollment decisions in spring. He described confusion among staff when multiple enrollment channels are used and suggested a single enrollment process could reduce errors. "A one‑stop shop to make it a little bit more concise and precise," he said of the consortium approach.

HR/benefits staff (S12) presented a side‑by‑side comparison included in the board packet and explained that Employee Navigator would capture employee elections in one place and feed carrier billing. S12 said group purchasing power through OSBA would likely produce lower premiums for products such as accident and critical‑illness coverage compared with the district’s current vendor, American Fidelity. Staff emphasized no action was required tonight; they invited the vendors to meet with district leadership and planned to solicit staff feedback before any change.

Board members asked whether staff had shared the comparisons with employees; staff said this was the first public introduction and that they would follow up with additional communication and presentations at staff meetings. The board did not vote on a vendor change at this meeting and requested the item be discussed further with staff and at the technical committee.