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Board approves motion to pursue Bridger carrier; staff to bargain plan options with unions
Summary
The Poplar School Board voted to approve the Bridger Health Insurance carrier proposal and directed staff to bargain plan design and premium allocations with union groups; presenters said classified group costs would likely fall and employees would have optional buy-up choices.
Staff presented a recommendation to change health-insurance carriers to Bridger and explained that the district could offer employees multiple plan options rather than a single uniform plan. The presenter argued switching could reduce classified-group costs and provide employees with buy-up options for lower deductibles while preserving bargaining rights.
The presenter said the district currently pays approximately $151,518 for next-year teacher-family coverage under the existing language and that moving classified employees under Bridger should yield savings. “I like the idea of going back and bargaining health insurance because it's gonna have to happen anyways with the language and having options for health insurance,” the presenter said. Board members discussed timeline pressures driven by a state incentive program and a soft window for signing; several members supported approving the carrier now and finishing plan bargaining with unions and staff.
The board moved to approve the Bridger Health Insurance carrier proposal and conducted a voice vote; the chair called for board members to participate in a small negotiating team to finalize plan options and to return to the board with recommended plan designs for ratification.
