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Board accepts 14.9% health‑insurance increase, reviews preliminary 2026–27 budget
Summary
Facing high claims and rising premiums, the New Glarus School District board approved a committee recommendation to accept a 14.9% health‑insurance increase and reviewed preliminary 2026–27 budget figures, noting a projected surplus and a possible mill‑rate impact if state aid remains unchanged.
Budget committee members presented the preliminary 2026–27 outlook and highlighted health insurance as the principal cost pressure. The budget materials noted a projected surplus of $139,870 and a school‑based tax levy figure; presenters warned the mill rate could increase if state aid does not change.
Administrator (speaker 12) and budget committee representative Travis (speaker 11) described recent high claimants and three years of elevated loss ratios. The administration proposed accepting a 14.9% premium increase to keep the current plan for one more year to support recruitment and retention. "We are proposing to accept the 14.9% increase," administration said, noting the district worked the increase into the preliminary budget.
The committee recommended approval of the increase and the board adopted the committee motion by voice vote, 7 to nothing. Board members discussed rebidding health insurance next year and asked staff to continue monitoring options and to include updated health‑insurance numbers in future budget materials.
The board received updates on food service (a possible 10¢ meal increase under review), fee schedules (no immediate change), and health‑insurance modeling; staff said additional state aid or policy changes could alter the mill‑rate projection.
