Special Board Meeting - October 22, 2026

The St. Mary Parish School Board held a special meeting on October 22, 2026, to review 2027 commercial group health and Medicare Advantage renewal options. The benefits agent reported that Blue Cross Blue Shield reduced its proposed commercial-plan increase from 11.9% to 7.9%, with negotiations described as reducing costs by about $755,000. Because extensions were unavailable for other options, Blue Cross Blue Shield was the only Medicare Advantage option presented. The recommended option maintained current benefits and employee and retiree payroll-deducted premiums; the stated cost to the board was $1,151,939.

The board approved a motion, seconded by Dr. Wilson, to select option one and uncommit funds previously reserved for potential self-insurance, then recommit funds to cover the increased premiums. The discussion referenced $420,000 budgeted for the increase and a $3 million self-insurance reserve; the transcript’s figures for the amount to be transferred are not fully clear. No other procurement decisions were identified.