Superintendent’s staff briefs board on self-funded health plan; year-to-date savings noted

District staff presented an update on the Kickapoo Area School District’s self-funded health insurance plan during the Sept. 8 meeting, reporting year‑to‑date figures through July and explaining drivers of variability.

The staff presenter (speaker 6) said that, "in this fiscal year, we have saved $52,680.84" compared with what the district would have paid under a fully funded premium model, while cautioning that the figure covers only one month of data and could change. The presentation explained that the budget contains fixed per‑person costs and variable claims (weekly claims, pharmaceuticals) and that certain items such as clinic reimbursements are recorded separately. The presenter also noted the district previously made a two‑year buy‑in (about $20,000–$22,000 per year) to join a captive; that buy‑in is no longer an annual charge this year and would be refunded if the district left the captive.

Board members asked about the inclusion of specific items and whether items such as the athletic trainer’s costs and AD salary were in the presented pages; staff said the trainer is funded separately and that some salary allocations may be consolidated. The presenter noted swings are possible (for example, several births among staff in one year can raise claims) and that the captive model typically produces a mix of good and bad years across a 10‑year horizon.

No policy or budget action on insurance was taken at the meeting; staff said they would supply additional details as requested.