SchoolCare tells Concord School Board $30 million pooled assessment will cost district just under $2 million

SchoolCare, the nonprofit risk pool that insures New Hampshire school districts, announced a $30 million contribution assessment on Sept. 21 that will be allocated pro‑rata to members and will require Concord School District to pay just under $2,000,000, the pool’s executive director told the Concord School Board on Sept. 24.

"That assessment today is 2 just under $2,000,000 for Concord School District," SchoolCare executive director Lisa Duquette said during a presentation to the board, explaining the levy is intended to rebuild reserves after multiple years of escalating claims and reduced pharmacy rebates. Duquette said actuaries, auditors and the Secretary of State reviewed the data and supported the board’s decision.

SchoolCare attributed the deficit mainly to higher utilization and a rising number of very large claims, especially specialty pharmacy and biologic medications. Duquette said the pool expected to receive pharmacy rebates from its administrator, Cigna, but collected only about two‑thirds of the anticipated rebates this year; combined with unusually high claims experience, that shortfall contributed to the deficit.

Kirsty Karpowich, a consultant who advised the district…