USD 443 board approves new health‑insurance design, shifts more family costs to employees

The USD 443 Board voted to adopt option three of a multi‑option health‑insurance plan intended to slow a drawdown of the district’s self‑insured fund.

Benefits staff and consultants presented three packages of plan changes that mix increased district contributions for single plans with higher employee costs for spouse/child/family tiers, higher copays and a shift of some supplemental plan costs to employees. The administration said the plan changes aim to trim about $1.5 million in projected pool drawdown over time.

A motion to approve option three was made, seconded, and approved by roll call. Board members who spoke described tradeoffs between protecting the reserve and limiting impact on families; some members preferred options with lower family increases (option two), while others favored option three for longer sustainability. The board did not provide a line‑by‑line voter roll in the public transcript; administration will inform employees of the new rates and timeline.

Administration and benefits staff noted implementation questions remain — such as payroll timing, the employee opt‑in process for supplemental plans, and how forfeitures and cash‑out options are treated under federal rules — and said HR will circulate details to staff.