Teachers deliver petition and personal testimony asking Katy ISD to review staff health plans

Hundreds of current and former district employees are asking Katy ISD trustees to review and improve the district’s staff health plans.

At the July 20 work study, teacher and Texas AFT member Allison Knight delivered a petition signed by 691 Katy ISD employees asking the board to launch a ‘‘thorough investigation’’ into underperforming staff health plans and to explore whether RFP language had excluded cheaper or better vendors. Knight’s request listed practical steps: broaden RFP scope, assess alternative hospital and pharmacy options, consider reducing plan options to strengthen risk pools and add preventive incentives.

Multiple speakers reinforced concerns. Jennifer Epstein, a 29‑year educator who resigned this May, said she and her family paid ‘‘more than $9,000 out of pocket each year’’ despite being on the district’s low‑deductible plan while undergoing cancer treatment, and described repeated referrals to out‑of‑network specialists such as MD Anderson that were not covered. She said that health coverage concerns factored into her resignation.

Board members thanked commenters and asked clarifying questions about process and options. Administration did not announce immediate changes during the work study; trustees and staff indicated the matter would be reviewed and remain on future agendas. The district’s staff benefits item on voluntary benefits and full health plan proposals was discussed elsewhere on the agenda; administration said work on health‑insurance options will continue with the goal of balancing affordability and network access.

Next steps: the board requested staff follow up on the petition and the RFP scope questions and to return with options and timelines as they evaluate health plan strategies.