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Board approves insurance recommendation and signs STARS Act MOU to qualify for teacher-pay funding
Summary
The trustees approved remaining with Blue Cross Blue Shield after committee negotiations reported a 0% increase, and they approved a memorandum of understanding under the STARS Act that authorizes the district to qualify for state funding tied to a $41,615 first-year teacher base pay.
The Board of Trustees approved two finance-related items: a recommendation from the insurance committee to remain with Blue Cross Blue Shield for 2025–26, and a memorandum of understanding (MOU) under the STARS Act designed to let the district qualify for state education funding tied to teacher pay.
A staff presenter said the insurance committee met with Marsh McLennan and negotiated with Blue Cross Blue Shield to secure a 0% premium increase after an earlier estimate of an 8% rise. "We were able to negotiate well, they were able to negotiate with Blue Cross Blue Shield, a 0% increase," the presenter said. A trustee asked where the state would find the money for the STARS Act increases; staff said the state plans to allocate funds but the district’s understanding is that the MOU is the route to access the aid.
The STARS Act MOU would commit the district to meet criteria that allow it to qualify for state funds intended to raise first‑year teacher base pay to roughly $41,615; trustees voted to approve the MOU with the caveat that the underlying state funding mechanism remained an external matter.
Both items were approved by motions and board votes recorded at the meeting.
