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Socorro ISD board approves health-plan changes after Prop A loss; staff and union representatives urge support for employees
Summary
Following the defeat of Prop A, the Socorro ISD board approved administrationrecommendation (Option B) to change 2026 employee health-plan design: move from three plans to two, raise the CDHP deductible to $4,500, increase HSA seed to $1,200, eliminate GLP-1 weight-loss coverage (still covered for type 2 diabetes), and set open enrollment Nov. 10Dec. 6 with outreach supports.
The Socorro Independent School District Board of Trustees voted Nov. 5 to approve administrationrecommended changes to employee health benefits for the 2026 plan year after voters rejected a district funding measure (Prop A).
Administration presented two scenarios. Option A, which assumed a $5 million infusion of VADER funding, would have funded more favorable premiums and contributions. Option B, presented as the realistic path after the VADER/Prop A failure, trims plan offerings from three to two, raises the consumer-driven health plan (CDHP) deductible to $4,500, increases co-pay and out-of-pocket maximums on the co-pay plan, excludes GLP-1 medications for weight-loss purposes (retaining coverage for treatment of type 2 diabetes), and increases the districtcontribution to employeesHSA seed money from $800 to $1,200.
Chief Human Resources Officer Selena Stiles told the board the district projected $13.1 million in cost avoidance under the proposed plan changes and that the VADER infusion would have added another funding layer that did not materialize. Stiles said administration recommended Option B and emphasized support services for employees during an active enrollment window from Nov. 10 through Dec. 6, including First Financial hotline hours and two Saturday coverage days.
Rosie Perez, speaking on behalf of employees, said the loss of Prop A will affect students and staff and urged the board to prioritize employee well-being: "Prop A was not a tax increase. It was a mechanism approved and recommended by TEA to bring more state funding into our district without raising the total tax rate." She warned employees will feel the effects in larger class sizes, stagnant compensation, and higher premiums.
Board member Woodcraft framed the outcome in fiscal terms, noting the district lost the opportunity to receive roughly $49 million in additional state funding tied to the measure. TEA conservator Andrew Kim cautioned that the district faces larger structural cash-flow issues and said, "There will be an anticipation of borrowing additional short term loan to cover payroll costs potentially to about $30,000,000 coming up." Stiles and David Solis, district CFO, described outreach plans to reach employees who may not participate during the condensed enrollment window, including targeted on-site sessions for high-transient groups (transportation, campus hubs) and repeated reminders.
Ms. Macias moved to approve administration's recommendation for a fully funded plan (administration's Option B recommendation given VADER did not pass); Mr. Woodcraft seconded. The board voted by voice and the item passed.
Next steps: administration will implement the plan changes, run the active-enrollment campaign from Nov. 10 to Dec. 6 with dedicated hotline and on-site assistance, and return to the board with updates as needed. Employees were advised to consult First Financial and district human-resources staff for enrollment assistance.
Sources: Board presentation by CHRO Selena Stiles and CFO David Solis; public comments by Rosie Perez and Tommy Hill; TEA conservator comments by Andrew Kim; board motions and voice vote recorded Nov. 5, 2025.
