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Clear Creek ISD keeps employer health insurance contributions flat as TRS ActiveCare premiums rise
Summary
At its July 13 meeting the Clear Creek ISD board approved keeping employer contribution levels unchanged for 2026–27 after staff said TRS ActiveCare Region 4 premiums rose about 12.1%. Administrators estimated the district’s portion of premiums from the general fund would be roughly $12.9 million next year and recommended no change to contribution strategy.
President Cottrell opened the July 13 Clear Creek Independent School District board meeting by asking for community input and then turned to an insurance update from Ms. Benzai and district staff. Ms. Benzai said the Teacher Retirement System’s TRS ActiveCare Region 4 premiums increased about 12.1% for the 2026–27 plan year and noted TRS is introducing a two-tier hospital network that raises coinsurance for care at tier‑2 hospitals.
"The increase is primarily driven by the rising healthcare costs in the Houston area, particularly increased utilization of high cost freestanding emergency rooms," Ms. Benzai said, and added that overall plan benefits remain largely unchanged. She said the state contributes $75 per month toward active‑employee coverage, school districts are required to contribute $150 per month, and that CCISD’s employer contributions remain above the statutory minimum.
Board members asked how the rise would affect employees. Ms. Benzai estimated that an employee-only enrollee would see roughly a $720 increase annually based on the district’s modeling (about $62 per month), and that roughly 21 employees would see the largest family‑plan increases. "At this time, we are not recommending any changes to our employer contribution structure for 26–27," she said, explaining staff’s recommendation was intended to preserve overall compensation flexibility during a challenging budget year.
Trustee McKay moved to approve the superintendent’s recommended contribution levels for 2026–27. President Cottrell called the vote and the motion passed 7–0.
Why it matters: CCISD administrators said enrollment declines and other cost pressures have squeezed the operating budget, and they cautioned trustees that multiple levers — compensation choices, rightsizing and possible revenue measures — will be necessary to balance future years’ forecasts. Keeping employer contributions flat preserves payroll flexibility while employees will absorb the actuarial premium increase in many plan tiers.
The board’s next financial steps include a more detailed compensation decision at the July board meeting and a demographer presentation in July that will update enrollment projections.
