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Westwood Regional board urges state action on rising school health‑benefit costs
Summary
The Westwood Regional Board of Education adopted a resolution calling on the governor and Legislature to provide short‑term relief and pursue long‑term reform to the State Health Benefits Program after citing large recent premium increases and a Treasury analysis projecting further double‑digit increases for 2027.
The Westwood Regional Board of Education voted to adopt a resolution urging state officials to address rapidly rising public‑employee health‑care costs that the district says threaten school budgets.
The resolution, read into the record during the administrative and governance portion of the meeting, cites a mid‑year SEHBP (State Employee Health Benefits Program) analysis released by the state Treasury that the board said projects double‑digit premium increases for 2027 and notes a 31.9% premium increase that took effect in January 2026 and “nearly 74%” growth in recent years. The board directed that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the governor, state treasurer, legislative leaders and the New Jersey School Boards Association.
Miss Peck moved the measure and Miss Martin seconded. During discussion, Miss Krawcheck said she supported the resolution but urged sustained pressure on state leaders: “I just wanted to state and go on record that, I know that I voted in support of this, but I think that given the situation we’ve been through this year, it’s important that we elevate our voices and we continue to put pressure…that can make some real change.”
The chair framed the request as urgent for local taxpayers and district finances: “This is a situation where we’re all hurting…we’re begging. We’re pleading,” the chair said during the discussion.
A roll‑call vote was recorded and the motion carried; one member indicated an abstention on an identified item within the administrative package during the roll call. The board did not adopt any specific local budget cuts at the meeting; the resolution requests that state leaders pursue both short‑term relief and long‑term reforms to how benefits are delivered to generate savings for districts.
Next steps noted by board members included forwarding the resolution to the listed state officials and awaiting any response or coordinated action from the New Jersey School Boards Association or state lawmakers.
