JACKSON, Wyo. — The Teton County School District (TCSD) #1’s board will vote on changes to its employee health benefit plan for fiscal year 2025 during a special meeting on Tuesday, April 23.
The Cigna renewal has two options. The first option is a high deductible plan only, the second option is a renewal maintaining all four plan options for staff.
“There are two options for the board’s consideration based on cost and proposals submitted,” TCSD Public Information Officer Charlotte Reynolds told Buckrail. “As part of their consideration is how to allocate the funds available towards total benefits package of salary and benefits.”
According to the Insurance Steering Committee, Finance Committee and Governance Committee, the proposed high deductible plan will increase its premium to 6.7%. This increase will raise out-of-pocket costs for teachers and those employed at TCSD. Out-of-pocket costs include deductibles, coinsurance and copayments for covered services plus all costs for services that aren’t covered.
Reynolds told Buckrail that it is standard for insurance rates to increase yearly.
“There are numerous factors that go into rate increases, including how many bids are submitted, the claims data from the previous year or more, and what is happening generally with health insurance,” Reynolds said. “So, it’s impossible to anticipate what rate changes will be but it seems annual increases are common.”
TCSD faculty raised concerns over the severity of the rate increase with the high deductible plan during the school board’s regularly scheduled meeting on April 17. This caused School Board Trustee Keith Gingery to suggest the motion to move the vote to today’s special meeting.
Allie Gillen, a full-time employee for TCSD in the Media Department, has worked for the district for the past 14 years. She opened public comments at the regular meeting by asking the board to consider offering a broad range of health care options that don’t put a financial burden on employees, versus simply selecting the lowest bid, to help retain and attract faculty to TCSD.
“The implications of these adjustments, particularly the substantial increase in out-of-pocket expenses combined with the stagnate nature of our salaries weigh heavily on the minds of our faculty members,” Gillen said during the meeting. “For instance, the proposed changes would significantly escalate my heath care costs under my current health care plan. My out of pocket costs would increase from zero dollars to more than $3,100 for the same coverage.”
Jackson Hole Middle School Student Support Specialist Michelle Rooks stated to the school board that people need more time to understand the health care plans, especially in light of the proposed raises in deductible costs.
“This shift is huge for families, especially those families who experience worse fears every year due to chronic illnesses and prescription needs,” Rooks said to the board. “Please give us a moment to process. I think it’s fair to give staff time to do the math, ask questions and give feedback.”
Amanda Turner, English as a Second Language (ESL) specialist at JES, has taught at TCSD for 20 years and addressed the board as a cancer survivor.
“Last year, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of lymphoma and was hospitalized in Salt Lake City,” Turner said. “I felt so valued and supported by the school district during my illness. With all due respect, I don’t feel very valued right now. The lack of communication about this insurance change has been confusing to me.”
Turner explained that the 2025 proposed high deductible insurance plan would significantly increase her insurance costs.
“I would be out $15,000 a year, because I will make the deductible every year, for the foreseeable future,” Turner said.
Today’s special meeting is being held at 5:30 p.m. at the District Building on 1235 Gregory Lane. The public is welcome at each regular and special board meeting and can address the board at the end of the meeting. Speakers are allowed three minutes to speak.
