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Human resources update: Wauwatosa to switch health plan administration to UMR; renewal allows targeted salary increases
Summary
Human resources reported a move from UHC to UMR effective July 1, projected health‑plan renewal of roughly 7.68% (8.48% fiscal-year basis), and plans to offer average employee salary increases of 4% while beginning negotiations with the teachers union.
At the April 15 Finance and Resource Committee meeting, human resources staff presented the district’s benefits renewal and pay planning for the coming fiscal year.
Brian (presenting the human resources update) said the district’s health‑insurance experience through the most recent month was under 80%, allowing staff to propose a renewal increase of 7.68 percent for the plan year (8.48 percent on a fiscal‑year calculation). The district intends to move plan administration from UnitedHealthcare to UMR effective July 1; staff said in‑network providers and plan deductibles will remain the same while the district and employees will see the premium increase aligned to the renewal.
Staff explained that the renewal position enables the district to recommend an average salary increase of about 4 percent for employees, with teacher increases slightly higher; negotiations with the teachers union were scheduled to begin the next day. Brian said the change in timing and contract handling will simplify audit work by eliminating mid‑year salary adjustments.
The committee also heard about new voluntary benefits available beginning July 1: access to the Noom wellness app, a Sword virtual physical‑therapy program, and expanded family‑forming services under Maven (including fertility and prenatal/postnatal care), each offered at no additional cost to employees. Staff noted no changes to dental, vision, long‑term disability, or prescription administration (still CVS Caremark).
Payroll specialist Holly Smith was credited with preparing new employee total compensation statements, which staff said will be distributed to employees this week to show how salary and employer benefits combine into overall compensation. Committee members expressed appreciation for the work and asked for material to share with staff ahead of open enrollment.
