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Palmyra board urges state relief over soaring school employee health-care costs
Summary
The Palmyra Board of Education approved a resolution calling on Governor Mikie Sherrill and the State Legislature for immediate short-term relief and long-term reform to address double-digit increases in school employee health-care premiums, citing a 31.9% increase in January 2026 and nearly a 74% rise over five years.
The Palmyra Board of Education on May 20 approved a resolution urging state action to address sharply rising school employee health-care costs. The resolution, adopted as presented in the agenda, calls on the governor and Legislature to provide immediate short-term relief and to engage stakeholders in reforms to the State Health Benefits Program and the School Employees' Health Benefits Program (SEHBP).
The resolution cites a 31.9% premium increase that took effect in January 2026 and an aggregate increase of nearly 74% over the preceding five years and says those increases place “tremendous strain on district budgets and local taxpayers.” It directs that copies be sent to Governor Mikie Sherrill, State Treasurer Aaron Binder, legislative leaders and the New Jersey School Boards Association. During public comment, resident Peter Bonsignore asked the district what its plan is to respond to increased health-insurance costs; board member Mr. Dickinson said he could not provide details at that time and that the Board is exploring options.
