Keyport board approves switch of workers’ comp coverage to lower costs

The Keyport School District board voted June 16 to switch its workers’ compensation coverage to the School Alliance Insurance Fund, a move the board secretary said would reduce projected insurance costs.

Board secretary Mr. Rapola told members the district had been facing large increases in health and other insurance lines earlier in the budget cycle — a previously cited 30% increase for health coverage and projected 13–16% increases for property/casualty and workers’ compensation — and that final estimates for property and casualty actually showed a roughly 3% decrease. He presented motion 10.4 to move workers’ compensation coverage back to the School Alliance Insurance Fund to capture better rates.

The motion was moved and seconded and approved by roll call. Board members recorded in the roll-call vote responded affirmatively and the motion passed. The board recorded no opposing votes during the meeting’s roll-call tally.

Mr. Rapola said the change will align workers’ comp coverage with the district’s broader insurance strategy and should yield moderate savings in the upcoming fiscal year. The district’s finance discussion also noted that other budget lines will require transfers during next year’s budget cycle to cover outstanding pressures.

The board approved related budget and personnel items later in the meeting. There was no public comment opposing the insurance switch at the meeting. Next procedural steps include updating vendor records and confirming the timing of the carrier transition before the new policy year.