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Board told health insurance costs rose ~30% (about $900,000) for Jan–June; budget preview may be delayed
Summary
Finance committee reported an estimated 30% spike in health insurance costs—about $900,000 for January through June—raising budget concerns and a possible delay to the district’s March budget preview while state financial numbers are received.
Trustee McNerney, reporting for the Finance and Insurance Committee, told the board on Feb. 18 that the district experienced an increase in health insurance costs of "about 30% or $900,000 for January through June." The committee said the current year’s budget included this increase, but planning for next year's budget will need to account for anticipated further increases.
McNerney told the board auditors are completing work on fund‑90 balancing and that the district is reviewing the position control roster to keep salaries and benefits, the largest portion of the budget, under regular review. The committee flagged that the March budget preview is tentative and could be delayed pending final state financial figures under the incoming governor.
The board approved finance and insurance items as a block later in the meeting; on that vote the board recorded one abstention on a subitem (11:03). The finance committee said additional processes to track grant spending and documentation are being established in response to recent changes on the New Jersey Department of Education website.
The board did not take further on‑the‑record budget actions at the meeting beyond passing the finance block; administrators will work with the committee and auditors as the district finalizes year-end closings and next year’s budget.
