The Jackson County Board of Education approved Monday night taking on increased employee insurance rates for the upcoming year.
Jackson County Director of Schools Jason Hardy said insurance rates went up five percent from last year. Hardy said the school district will not pass it on to employees.
“Our employees will be paying the same amount this year as they did, you know, in previous years,” Hardy said. “So you know, we would like to do a lot more for everybody with insurance, but you know, it’s one of our largest expenses, so I am happy to at least, you know, absorb this so our employees do get a little bit of a break this year.”
Hardy said insurance rates have increased slightly over the past several years. Hardy said the school district will be able to handle the increased costs despite having a tight budget.
“We know that it’s a recurring expense and it’s not just a one-time thing,” Hardy said. “So we know, as each year, the state’s portion of the money and the funds that we get are kind of going down. We have to really worry about and strategically think about where we are gonna spend our money. We do want to put it towards our kids and our employees, so it is getting tougher.”
Hardy said insurance is one of many benefits that a lot of employees use.
“We do have several,” Hardy said. “We have anywhere from individual policies to family policies, and, you know, then we have several that probably have their spouse, that they take theirs, so you know we try to, again, do the best we can.”
Hardy said the insurance policies will not change. Hardy said employee insurance enrollment will reopen in October.
In other business, Dustin Kennedy will remain chairman and Shannon Wilson will remain Vice-Chairman.
Hardy said he expects the contractor to complete the Dodson Branch Elementary gym floor over Christmas break.