Pequannock school board places resolution on agenda urging state action on rising health‑care costs

Pequannock Township School District board members on May 26 said they will press state lawmakers for help addressing steep increases in employee health‑insurance costs.

Board Chair Mr. Senic told attendees the board added a resolution to the agenda asking the legislature to act because ‘‘yearly double digit … increases in healthcare costs and now potential multiple increases per year is not sustainable.’’ He said the district has experienced an over $1.7 million increase in health‑care expenses this year — approximately 24% before staff contributions — and more than $3 million in increases over the past three years.

The board said the resolution is intended to add its voice to other New Jersey boards of education urging state intervention; Mr. Senic said insurers were reportedly contemplating a mid‑year 14% increase in July. The board did not take a recorded vote on the resolution during the publicly disclosed portion of the meeting as recorded in the transcript; the item was described on the agenda and highlighted in opening remarks as a matter the board wants the state to address.

Superintendent Dr. Pors and Business Administrator Mr. Gibbs also discussed the budgetary implications of rising health costs in their reports and referenced broader budget pressures districts are facing statewide, including staff and program reductions elsewhere. Mr. Gibbs said the county office requested a board resolution seeking short‑term relief from the legislature because of the large projected increases for the next school year.

Why it matters: The district says sustained, accelerating health‑insurance expense growth threatens staffing and programs if not checked, and the board is seeking a policy response at the state level rather than bearing all cost increases locally.

What happens next: The board placed the resolution on the meeting agenda and indicated it will proceed through its normal agenda and communications channels to send the request to the legislature. The meeting adjourned into executive session on a separate personnel matter; no public record in the transcript shows a final, recorded outcome for this resolution during the public portion.