Diamond Lake SD 76 board approves 2026–27 insurance rates, treasurer appointment and multiple capital projects

Chair (S2) opened the business portion of the meeting and the board approved routine consent items before taking action on several finance and facilities matters.

Insurance: Director (S3) told the board that industry renewals this cycle are "25, 26% across the industry," and said the district’s initial renewal proposals were 22.89%. To limit the impact on employees the district plans to draw on insurance reserves and shift to a three-tier "Blue Choice" option (Tier 2 would introduce a $300 deductible for some provider tiers). Director (S3) said the Blue Choice structure is expected to reduce rates by about 7.5% and noted the district records roughly $3.5 million in claims annually. After the presentation the board voted to accept and approve the 2026–27 insurance rates as presented.

Treasurer appointment: The board read and approved a resolution appointing Eric Rogers to serve as treasurer for Diamond Lake School District 76 for a one-year term beginning July 1, 2026, at annual compensation of $3,000, citing qualifications set forth in section 5-1b of the school code.

Interfund transfer public hearing: Director (S3) described a plan to use education-fund balances toward facility work and explained accounting rules require an intermediate transfer from the education fund to operations and maintenance before capital projects. The board set a public hearing for a $1.5 million interfund transfer on June 2, 2026, and directed publication of the required notice.

Capital projects and contracts: The board accepted low bids and approved contracts for several projects: - Concrete project: Dale Incorporated was the apparent low bidder at $47,007.65 for a sidewalk replacement and related work; the board approved the contract as presented. - Nicole Sullivan Memorial Sewer Project: the board identified Ernie Peterson as the lowest responsible bidder at $73,914 and approved moving the project forward; staff noted the contractor will schedule work to avoid impacting summer school operations. - West Oak Intermediate Playground Project: the board approved a two-part relocation and refresh (relocate playground to the southwest corner for better supervision, replace equipment including adjustable basketball rims, add soccer goals, resodding and new benches) and approved proceeding with the recommended subcontractor for surfacing.

Other financial items: Director (S3) reviewed the routine annual process to designate interest earnings (reporting approximately $642,000 as of April) and said allocations would be adjusted when property tax receipts arrive; the transcript records the item as presented for review but contains no explicit final vote on that resolution.

Executive session: At the meeting’s close the board moved to adjourn to executive session for appointments, employment and legal matters. Chair (S2) called for roll call and members Miss Holland, Mister Becker, Miss Bayless, Miss Crutchfield, Miss Hale and Miss Reyes each voted yes to enter executive session.

No dissenting votes or recorded negatives were reported in the transcript for the items the board approved.