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Shannidora school board adopts hybrid health‑insurance option and approves FY2027 budget request
Summary
After a detailed staff presentation and debate over carrier networks and employee costs, the board approved Option E — a package of deductible, co‑pay and employee‑contribution changes — and then approved the FY2027 budget and capital plan that reflects that health‑insurance choice.
The Shannidora County School Board voted March 12 to adopt a package of health‑insurance changes designed to reduce the district’s near‑term budget ask of the county while sharing some increased costs with employees. The board then approved the superintendent’s FY2027 budget and capital improvement plan, which incorporates that insurance decision.
Superintendent Dr. Shepard presented five options to cover an anticipated health‑insurance increase, laying out estimated total premium cost increases and the dollar amount the division would request from the Board of Supervisors under each scenario. Option A kept the current plan and would have required roughly $1.3 million from the county; Option E combined higher deductibles, adjusted pharmacy co‑pays and a modest $25‑per‑month employee contribution and reduced the local ask to roughly $760,000, according to the superintendent’s slides.
Board members pressed staff on alternatives, including whether a lower‑cost carrier would materially reduce the county ask and how many local practitioners would be out‑of‑network under competing proposals. Miss Campbell, the finance director, explained the district’s consultant had negotiated with Anthem and that other bidders had earlier quoted materially lower premium increases but would have narrower local physician networks. Board members repeatedly framed the question as a trade‑off between lower premiums and employees’ out‑of‑pocket costs and network continuity.
Mr. Street moved to approve Option E, and the board took a roll‑call vote. The clerk recorded six votes in favor, none opposed; the motion carried and Option E was adopted for the FY2027 insurance plans the district will present to the county.
With the insurance option in place, the board voted to approve the FY2027 budget and CIP as presented. The superintendent had proposed a 3.25% cost‑of‑living increase plus a step for salary scales, added special‑education staffing, and modest capital and maintenance increases; the local funding request in the package depends on the insurance choice. The FY2027 budget passed unanimously on a roll call.
Board members said they still want more staff input on carrier choices: several members asked staff to poll employees about whether they would accept a lower‑cost carrier with a narrower network if it meant lower overall premiums. The superintendent and finance staff said a staff survey could be launched ahead of later work‑sessions and that the board of supervisors will receive the district’s budget request in time for the county’s tax‑rate and budget decisions.
The board’s vote puts a single, auditable request before the county and gives staff direction for the insurance procurement and for the next stages of implementation and employee communication.
