Bedminster School District Health Benefits Up 19 Percent

Despite fears that the health benefits for Bedminster school employees would be increasing by 29 percent this coming year, the district was able to negotiate that rate down—and yet it’s still higher than what has been budgeted.

Bedminster Board of Education President Louis Casella announced at the June 18 meeting that the rate has been negotiated down to 19 percent.

“We budgeted 15 percent, which has been reasonable over the last few years,” he said. “We have been getting 14 percent and 12 percent.”

“That is a significant amount we did not budget, about $200,000,” he added.

Casella said other costs continued to hit the district while school officials are trying to offer bigger and better programs.

The district has not released information on how this will affect the budget.

With the benefits, Casella said, they will be offering three different plans to staff members, similar to what the state does.

“That gives options so you can choose depending on where you want to be,” he said. “The policy amounts will differ, and the individuals who contribute will then have a chance to pay less.”

A meeting concerning the benefits is planned in early September, with a renewal coming Oct. 1.