Educators tell Tahoe‑Truckee board 24% average health premium spike amounts to pay cuts; urge district to offset costs

At the Tahoe‑Truckee Unified School District board meeting on June 11, educators and union negotiators warned that proposed health insurance premium increases averaging 24.7% — and larger increases for family plans — would amount to substantial pay cuts for many staff and urged the district to offset the cost in next year’s budget.

"These increases are not just numbers," said Paula Bossler, lead negotiator for the Tahoe‑Truckee Education Association, addressing the board. "These represent real sacrifices. Many of our colleagues are already living paycheck to paycheck." Bossler asked the board to "adopt a budget that includes increased compensation to directly offset these rising health care premiums."

Former TTA lead negotiator David Stakely told trustees the districtwide average increase of about 24% masks higher spikes for plans covering dependents: "Some plans are gonna increase, like, close to 40% or something like that, and that equates to an increase in cost of hundreds of dollars per month." Theresa Palito, a longtime district employee, said her family plan would rise by nearly $800 per month under the projections she reviewed.

Board members described the increases as "outrageous" and pressing. Trustee comments noted the effect would be especially acute for staff who live and work locally and for lower‑paid classified employees for whom health premiums are a larger portion of compensation.

Todd Rivera, assistant superintendent and chief business officer, said the district and its benefits consultant issued a request for proposals to seek alternative carriers and large‑pool arrangements but had not yet received usable proposals. Rivera said some large pools declined to quote and cautioned that the timing of the market and the district’s benefit year complicate immediate change. He acknowledged the practical impact on employees: because the district participates in a pooled plan with a benefit cap, much or all of the increase would fall to employees’ premiums.

Rivera said district staff will continue to "leave no stone unturned" in searching for alternatives, including direct carrier proposals, and that the district recognizes the problem is a serious financial burden for employees. Trustees and district leaders said they expected further discussion at upcoming meetings and continued negotiations with bargaining units.

Next steps: Rivera confirmed the district will continue to solicit proposals and that the board will consider budget adjustments and bargaining responses in upcoming sessions; the board also scheduled a study session on athletics but indicated benefits follow‑up will be part of administrative work over the summer.

"Please help us keep great educators in our classrooms," Bossler said. "No one working for the district should have to choose between their health, paying rent, or putting food on the table."