Finance committee warns of budget uncertainty, eyes prescription self-insurance and regional learning center

Garrett, speaking for the finance committee, told the board the district is preparing for "flat funding for federal aid" and that final state aid figures are expected March 12, forcing the finance team to hold an additional meeting once numbers arrive. "By the time our budget is due, we need to have an estimate from our present broker," Garrett said, and the board will use that estimate to decide whether the district can move to self-insure prescription coverage.

The committee is watching prescription costs closely: "Our health insurance ratio presently is over a 100% for prescriptions," Garrett said, and the district is weighing whether self-insurance would save money. He stressed the decision depends on the brokers estimate and the final budget numbers.

On capital and referendum matters, Garrett said concession work tied to a facilities referendum is progressing sporadically because of weather and that gym-floor bids were due Feb. 18 with a hoped completion date of July 1. "You'll see the bids are in the agenda for approval," he said. Garrett also reported ongoing discussions with Port Republic officials about their budget and noted continuing talks between administrations.

The finance committee also discussed the regional learning center: Garrett said the district is exploring bringing the centers staff in-house—currently contracted through Ombudsman Educational Services in Smithville—so the district could hire its own staff and "have more control over the education that they receive." He said projected long-term costs should "equal themselves out" compared with the current contract.

What happens next: the board will await firm state-aid figures and the brokers insurance estimate before deciding on self-insurance and will consider gym-floor bid approvals in a future consent agenda if recommended by administration.