The Ketchikan school district’s health insurance reserve fund is more than a million dollars in the red. Now, the school board is considering transferring more than $800,000 into the fund to offset the deficit. Katie Jo Parrott, the district’s business manager, says in a memo that the district views that deficit as a liability — an unpaid bill for the district.
The district’s health insurance task force will report some findings at the school board’s Wednesday evening meeting. Included are proposals designed to reduce costs including steering school employees to telemedicine services and making use of the district’s wellness program. It also recommends that the district monitor insurance claims to identify more ways to save money. The task force does not recommend switching health insurance plans or altering benefits.
The board is also set to discuss a memorandum of understanding between the school district and Ketchikan Indian Community that could include tribal officials in the district’s hiring process.
The meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday in Ketchikan’s borough assembly chambers.
