Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Payroll Benefits Personnel topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kingman Unified approves insurance rate changes, 3% staff raises and authorizes reductions-in-force
Summary
The district approved renewal insurance rates for FY27 (medical up about 6% overall), districtwide 3% raises for certified and classified exempt staff (estimated total cost ~$1.2M) and authorized a reduction in force; the board also approved the release of an employee.
The Kingman Unified School District governing board on March 10 approved several budget and personnel measures: an insurer's renewal that will raise medical premiums about 6% overall, a districtwide 3% raise for certified and classified-exempt staff, and authorization for a reduction in force (RIF) and related non-renewals for the 2026'27 school year. The board also approved the release of employee Zebie Mitchell from his prorated 2025'26 contract.
District staff told the board they have 676 employees enrolled in medical coverage and that the overall insurance renewal will increase district costs by roughly $400,000 next year. Staff said about 80% of employees would see a modest average monthly increase (reported in the meeting as roughly $6.25 on average), while a smaller group on richer plans would see larger increases (the presenter gave $97 per month as an example). The board approved the renewal after clarifying whether cited amounts were monthly or yearly.
On compensation, staff recommended extending the January 2026 hourly minimum-wage adjustment to other personnel with a 3% raise for certified and classified exempt employees; the total estimated cost presented was about $1.2 million (this figure includes the previously approved classified hourly increases of about $390,000). The board moved and approved the raises.
Administrators presented the RIF plan and said they had met with affected staff and provided opportunities to apply for other positions; they also described the confidentiality memo listing affected personnel. Assistant Superintendent Shelley Eastman and Executive Director Jones said transfers were possible for employees who qualify and that years of service are preserved when a transfer occurs; staff explained that seniority alone would not automatically determine reassignment under district policy and statute.
The board recorded motions to approve insurance rates, staff raises and the RIF authorization; the transcript records that each motion "carried" or "was approved," though detailed roll-call tallies were not provided in the public record for these items. The release of employee Zebie Mitchell was moved and approved in a separate motion later in the meeting.
Board members asked for continued transparency about budget impacts and requested follow-up reporting on RIF implementation and employee supports. District staff said they would work with HR to offer transfer assistance and to provide aggregated data to the board as requested.
Next steps include payroll updates to reflect raises and benefit changes and HR follow-up for affected employees; the district also committed to presenting clearer aggregated survey and budget data to the board in future discussions.
