The board voted to approve multiple benefit contract renewals and plan design changes for the 2026 plan year, including renewing administrative services with Louisiana Blue for 2026–2028 and UnitedHealthcare for Medicare retirees, and renewing MetLife for dental. Gallagher consultants told trustees that employee premiums would remain unchanged for 2026, a continuation of a multi‑year freeze, while adding a high‑deductible health plan (with an associated health savings account) and an option to select between two provider networks (Community Blue and Precision Blue).

Why it matters: Gallagher representatives said the district's initial renewal projection would have increased costs by roughly $6.6 million, but mitigation steps (contract negotiations, pharmacy renegotiations and other vendor savings) allowed the district to hold active employee deductions steady. The benefits consultant proposed an enhancement to cover certain preventive maintenance pharmacy medications in full; staff estimated the change would cost the district about $700,000 but could improve medication adherence and reduce catastrophic claims.

Key approvals and operational details: The board authorized superintendent-level negotiation for stop‑loss insurance and approved adding Solarix to administer health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts and COBRA (cost estimated to the district: ~$19,000). Retirees on UnitedHealthcare will receive two ID cards beginning in 2026 (one for medical, one for pharmacy); retirees on Blue plans will be asked to enroll because the district is introducing six new plan choices. Gallagher said the district covers approximately 76 percent of the combined premium for active employees and retirees.

Board questions and next steps: Trustees asked about communication and enrollment support; Gallagher described an enrollment center, a planned mailed retiree guide and an on‑site Louisiana Blue liaison during open enrollment. Board member Martin expressed support but noted borrowing decisions should avoid funding short‑term items with long-term debt; other trustees urged strong outreach to retirees. The administration said it will provide customized employee communications, webinars and in‑person retiree meetings in the fall.

Ending: The motion to approve carried; no changes to active employee payroll deductions were adopted for 2026, and staff will implement the network/plan rollout and the Solarix transition during open enrollment.