School committee forwards amended memo urging health‑insurance trust and select board to study GIC and other cost‑saving measures

The Westford School Committee voted unanimously to forward an amended memo to the Select Board and the town’s health‑insurance trust asking them to evaluate potential cost‑saving options and to perform due diligence on the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) as one option.

Committee members said they were providing advisory feedback at the request of the Select Board and emphasized they do not have governing authority over town insurance decisions. Valerie asked that the memo explicitly state the committee’s advisory role and note the committee’s concern for both school employees and the school budget. One member urged language that also calls out the fiscal challenge: health‑care costs have been increasing faster than revenue growth.

Members debated phrasing—whether the committee should "recommend," "request," or "express support"—and agreed to language that both acknowledges the committee’s limited authority and asks the Select Board and health‑insurance trust to pursue fact‑finding and analysis on options (including GIC financial outlook, premium stability and impacts on employees and retirees).

The committee discussed implementation risks, noting that enrolling in the GIC requires a timely intent filing but that municipalities can withdraw later in the process. Members said GIC enrollment is uncertain, could preserve or erode district independence and might not produce savings; they asked for parallel analyses of adjustments to the district’s current plan.

After amendments to clarify the committee’s advisory role and to note budget urgency, the committee took a formal motion and approved the amended memo by roll call (unanimous). The chair said she would forward the memo to the Select Board the following morning.