The Montgomery Independent School District (MISD) Board Meeting on March 18, 2025, focused heavily on employee benefits, particularly the rising costs of healthcare. Human Resources representative Shavoneline Johnson and benefits consultant John Ledbetter presented key insights into the district's health insurance plans and their financial implications.

Ledbetter highlighted the challenges posed by inflation and increasing healthcare costs, which have significantly impacted employees' health benefits. He noted that many employees are shocked by the high premiums compared to those in the private sector. The upcoming open enrollment period, set to begin in July and take effect on September 1, was emphasized as a critical time for employees to review their options.

The presentation included a detailed analysis of enrollment statistics, revealing that approximately 804 employees are enrolled in the medical plan, with a total of around 1,400 members when including spouses and children. However, the number of employees opting to add spouses to their plans is low due to high costs, which can reach up to $1,100.

Financial summaries indicated a concerning trend of increasing claims costs, particularly in medical and pharmacy expenses. Ledbetter pointed out that many employees are choosing out-of-network providers, leading to higher costs for the district. He also noted that the loss ratio for medical claims has been high, with a previous year’s ratio reaching 127%. Although a negotiated rate cap limited increases to 10.5%, the overall trend remains upward.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to explore better options for health insurance as the district prepares to go out to bid for new plans. Ledbetter expressed hope that upcoming claims data would provide a more favorable outlook, potentially leading to more competitive renewal offers from insurance providers.

Overall, the discussions underscored the importance of addressing healthcare costs for MISD employees and the district's ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive benefits amidst rising expenses.