Herman‑Neosho‑Rubicon board approves employee insurance renewal and amended 2024–25 calendar, discusses E‑Rate tech funding

The Herman‑Neosho‑Rubicon School District board approved renewal of employee benefit plans and an amended 2024–25 school calendar during its regular meeting.

District administrator (S3) told the board there were no premium increases for employee benefits and that dental rates have been locked for three years; he added that federal changes to HSA thresholds will raise deductibles next year. "We also saw a flat rate in dental and are locked in, for 3 years at that rate," S3 said, summarizing the renewal packet. Committee member (S2) moved to approve the renewal "as presented" and Chair (S4) called the vote; the motion carried.

On the calendar, the board approved an amended 2024–25 schedule to align start and end dates with feeder districts and Hartford Union High School after a neighboring district received a state waiver to start early. District administrator (S3) said the calendar would start Monday, Aug. 26, and end Thursday, May 22, for the 2024–25 school year, with 169 student days and 12 professional development days; the motion to adopt the amended calendar carried.

The board also discussed authorizing E‑Rate technology purchasing to activate federal discounts for infrastructure upgrades. S3 said the district’s E‑Rate budget is $55,500 and described two main purchases: roughly $46,000 for 50 wireless access points (about 60 percent E‑Rate funded, leaving an estimated district share near $15,400) and a range of firewall options with five‑year support. "If you spend less, then you're committed to less. If you spend more, your commitment can be more," S3 said, explaining how the E‑Rate commitment would be calibrated. Board members discussed timing and flexibility in installation relative to a pending April 2 referendum.

The board received the required five‑year pupil nondiscrimination self‑evaluation. S3 said a team of teachers and committee members reviewed state categories and recommended targeted language updates for staff handbooks, improved family and student survey processes to gather input, and other areas for growth. The report will be posted on the district website under the annual notice as required.

The meeting concluded with routine announcements about upcoming assessments and community events. No public votes with named tallies were recorded in the transcript beyond the verbal "motion carries" statements for the insurance renewal and the calendar amendment.