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Flemington-Raritan board flags $2.63M health-care spike, awards van-service contract
Summary
The Flemington-Raritan Regional School District board heard that employee health-care premiums are projected to rise 27% — about $2.63 million, roughly 4% of the tax levy — as it approved routine committee items, awarded a van-service contract to Montauk Transportation and asked staff for multi-year facilities and budget planning.
Flemington-Raritan Regional School District officials told the board that employee health-care premiums are expected to increase by roughly 27%, or about $2,630,000, a rise the district said would represent about 4% of its tax levy and a major driver of next year’s budget planning.
Board President said the increase is a substantial cost driver and that the district’s broker is re-bidding coverage in hopes of reducing premiums. “$2,630,000 doesn’t just make itself up,” the board president said, urging careful budgeting and noting the item will be part of upcoming town-hall discussions.
During the operations committee report, the board asked administration to prepare a comprehensive multi-year facilities plan to consolidate capital projects, maintenance needs and vehicle replacements to support longer-term budgeting. Committee members also reviewed building-level energy audit reports and listed recently completed projects, including camera-server upgrades, a new playground at Copper Hill and the rollout of a new district phone system.
On transportation, the board approved a bid award for van service to Montauk Transportation to run a two-tier route after the district said it was unable to staff the service internally. The operations report said the district will continue efforts to recruit CDL-licensed drivers and is exploring partnerships with nearby districts that run CDL training programs.
The board approved routine committee items and other operational motions by roll call. Officials also noted ongoing evaluation of courtesy busing options for 2026–27 and highlighted a possible impact on class sizes in some grades if staffing levels are not adjusted.
The acting superintendent reminded the public that the district will hold a town hall on Feb. 11 and said additional budget details will be discussed there. The board approved the district calendar for the coming school year.
What’s next: administration will continue insurance-broker work on health-care premiums, develop the requested multi-year facilities plan and return with more specific budget options at future meetings.
