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HR update: STAR report extension, benefits changes after insurer negotiations, and job-description tweak to expand candidate pool
Summary
Interim HR leadership told the committee the district requested an 8-day extension for the MDE STAR report, flagged a Blue Cross–Aspirus contract issue that may require some enrollee switches to Essentia, and described a small change to the HR director job description to allow equivalent experience in lieu of a master’s degree.
The Duluth Public School District’s interim director of human resources updated the HR Business Services Committee on reporting, benefits and staffing matters on Monday.
The interim HR director said the district has requested an eight-day extension to submit the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) STAR report, citing staff turnover and the district’s current vacancy in a director role. “We asked we asked for an 8 day extension,” the interim HR director said, noting the HR manager Steve Johnson is supporting the work during the transition.
On benefits, staff told the committee that contract negotiations between Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aspirus St. Luke’s were not completed, creating network changes for some plan members. “If you’re an Aspirus St. Luke’s patient and you wanna keep your Blue Shield, you’re not able to do that. You have to switch to Essentia at this point,” the interim HR director said, describing the immediate implication for affected users.
Staff also said they are developing a framework for Minnesota family leave, reviewing the district’s 4000 series (human-resources policies), and improving standard operating procedures across the HR department. An outside consultant, Teresa Willems, a retired CHRO from Green Bay, has been assisting the department on HR workflow and transportation-related matters.
On staffing and recruitment, the committee discussed a revision to the Human Resources Director job description that would allow a combination of relevant work experience and a bachelor’s degree to satisfy qualification requirements where a master’s degree previously had been listed as required. The interim HR director said this mirrors a recent change made for the technology director posting, and would let the district post the HR director job sooner while preserving the board’s ability to revert to prior language if the full board does not approve the change.
What’s next: staff will proceed with open enrollment work, continue the STAR report submission with the requested extension, finalize the Minnesota family leave framework work, and post the revised HR director description for applicants pending board review.
