College Station ISD board members voted June 16 in favor of changing the employee health insurance benefits and plan from Blue Cross Blue Shield to Baylor Scott & White for the 2026-27 school year.
The overview
Data presented by Anco Area President Ross Gunnels at the meeting showed the overall rate of the Blue Cross Blue Shield plan increased 27.9% from the previous year, with an overall increase of 47.1% over the last three years. A memo from Chief Financial Officer Heather Wilson explained the increase in prices and why the district should choose Baylor Scott & White:
“The health insurance market continues to experience significant inflationary pressures driven by increased utilization, higher prescription drug costs, and rising healthcare expenses. Premiums proposed by Baylor Scott & White reflect these market conditions while continuing to provide employees with multiple coverage options to meet their healthcare needs,” Wilson wrote in part.
Breaking it down
The district calculated savings across the board with all plans on BS&W, with some as high as $455 per month. Along with those savings, College Station ISD found that BS&W was carried by at least 74.5% of all medical facilities.
The new health plan was incorporated in the approved 2026-27 school year budget, according to Wilson's memo. That budget was approved with an $8.3 million deficit, as previously reported by Community Impact.
Quote of note
Trustee Heather Simmen expressed some unhappiness that employees might have to change doctors, telling a story of her experience. However, she also said having employees covered and meeting enrollment is the top priority.
“My son had a major surgery, and they dropped us right after the surgery,” she said. “I’ve been in that situation, but I don’t know what it would do for us by pushing it off for another week. I think, in the essence of time, we need to start meeting these enrollment deadlines.”
What to expect
The board voted 6-1 on the measure.
Trustee Kimberly McAdams was the dissenting vote. She said she wished the district could offer more to the employees, but this is “all they got.”
CSISD employees will be switched over to BS&W when the 2026-27 budget is officially adopted. Employees will have to choose from different health care coverage options, along with access to doctors who accept the new coverage.
