EPISD trustees question whether $4.5M in health insurance relief will help all employees

EPISD trustees question whether $4.5M in health insurance relief will help all employees by Julia Spencer Mon, November 9, 2026 at 10:36 PM 3 VIEW ALL PHOTOS EPISD headquarters in Central El Paso. (Credit: KFOX14/CBS4) Comment on this story 0 Comment Share story Share topics: El Paso ISD Health insurance Premium increases Health insurance relief Self-funded plan School trustees Employee-only coverage HUB International EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso Independent School District employees are preparing for significant health insurance premium increases in January, as new figures presented to trustees reveal how the district's costs compare to neighboring school districts across the Borderland. During the Nov. 9 board meeting, trustees reviewed the district's self-funded health insurance program, including its financial challenges, rising employee premiums and a proposal to direct an additional $4.5 million toward helping employees afford coverage. The discussion also raised concerns about whether the proposed financial assistance would benefit employees who need insurance for their spouses and children. "There's so much confusion. You can. I'm confused. And I've read this report," Trustee Brian Kelly said during the meeting. "We need to find a better way to communicate this because people are angry, and all they see is that their paycheck goes down," Kelly added. Julia Spencer reports on EPISD trustees question whether $4.5M in health insurance relief will help all employees (Credit: KFOX14) According to a presentation prepared by HUB International, EPISD employees selecting family coverage under the district's Consumer-Directed Health Plan (CDHP) will pay $1,458 per month in 2027. The presentation compared EPISD's monthly employee premiums with four neighboring school districts. 2027 monthly family premiums: Consumer-Directed Health Plans El Paso ISD - $1,458 Socorro ISD - $1,106 Clint ISD - $1,362 Canutillo ISD - $1,228 Ysleta ISD - $733 Under this coverage category, EPISD has the highest monthly family premium among the five districts compared. EPISD employees would pay $352 more per month than Socorro ISD employees, $96 more than Clint ISD employees and $230 more than Canutillo ISD employees. However, the comparison changes depending on the insurance plan. RELATED: Health insurance hikes hit El Paso school employees, some consider leaving jobs For family coverage under co-pay plans, Socorro ISD has the highest monthly premium at $1,910, compared to EPISD's $1,623. The presentation compares employee premiums, but the plans may differ in deductibles, benefits and out-of-pocket costs. Trustees discuss $4.5 million in additional support During Monday's meeting, trustees discussed directing an additional $4.5 million toward the district's health insurance fund to help lower employee premiums. The proposed funding would primarily benefit employees enrolled in employee-only coverage. District officials said approximately 72% of employees are enrolled in that coverage category. However, some trustees questioned whether the proposal would provide enough relief for employees who also need insurance for their spouses and children. Trustee Mindy Sutton expressed particular concern about hourly employees who may struggle to afford the higher premiums. "The employee spouse. I probably couldn't have afforded that. I'm more concerned about our hourly employees because this is, I mean, this is their whole paycheck," Sutton said. Sutton also questioned whether the district should consider setting aside some of the funding to help employees facing the greatest financial hardship. "I'm scared to make a decision for thousands of people," Sutton said. District officials explained that lowering employee-only premiums would benefit the largest group of employees currently enrolled in the district's health insurance program. Trustees requested additional information about employee enrollment and salary groups to better understand who would benefit from the proposed changes. RECOMMENDED: Early vote tally shows El Paso voters reject Socorro and Ysleta ISD Prop A taxes During the meeting, district officials acknowledged that some employees are already exploring other insurance options because of the rising costs. An administrator said some workers are considering switching to employee-only coverage while seeking separate insurance for their spouses or children. Others may be able to obtain coverage through a spouse's employer. According to figures discussed during the meeting, approximately 5,850 employees participate in the district's medical plan, while about 1,015 have waived medical coverage. The district's September 2026 census also showed a decline in covered members. Membership dropped from an average of 9,508 between January and August to 8,742 in September, a decrease of approximately 8%. The presentation did not establish whether that decline was caused by rising premiums, staffing reductions or other factors. District officials also discussed how EPISD reached its current financial situation. During the meeting, an official acknowledged that employee insurance premiums had not been gradually increased for several years, contributing to the need for more significant adjustments. The district implemented a 15% premium increase in July as the first phase of its changes. The next phase is scheduled to affect employees' January 15, 2027, paychecks. EPISD's self-funded health insurance program has faced financial challenges as healthcare claims and expenses exceeded contributions over time. During the meeting, officials discussed a cumulative deficit of approximately $27 million and how additional contributions and premium adjustments could help improve the fund's financial position. The presentation also revealed improvements in healthcare spending. Total medical plan spending decreased from approximately $55.4 million to $53.1 million between the comparison periods. Additionally, pharmacy management programs generated more than $4.1 million in reported savings. Despite those improvements, district officials emphasized the need to maintain sufficient funding to cover future claims and rebuild financial reserves. The discussion comes as EPISD continues addressing broader financial challenges, including budget reductions and staffing cuts. Trustees acknowledged the need for better communication with employees about the upcoming insurance changes and the district's efforts to reduce their financial impact. Sutton emphasized the importance of considering employees across different salary levels and coverage categories before making decisions about financial assistance. The district is continuing to review ways to support its health insurance program while maintaining financial stability. The new insurance rates are scheduled to take effect in January 2027, with the higher premiums expected to be reflected in employees' January 15 paychecks. Sign up to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox. Trending 1-year-old dies after Lower Valley two-vehicle crash on Alameda Avenue A 16-month-old, Oliver Yepes, died after a two-vehicle crash on Alameda Avenue in El Paso’s Lower Valley, police say. 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