USD 457 Board of Education Meeting Recap September 25, 2025
Under unfinished business, the Board approved to transition to Benefits Direct as the district’s new supplemental insurance provider. The Insurance Committee recently met to review supplemental insurance options for district employees. During the meetings, the committee heard presentations from Benefits Direct and American Fidelity. Following the presentations, the committee voted overwhelmingly in favor of transitioning to Benefits Direct. Benefits Direct offers a wider range of products, improved pricing, and enhanced coverage options for staff. Employees who wish to continue their current coverage with American Fidelity will still have the option to do so via direct pay.
Under new business, there was discussion by the Board about a Superintendent Search. The Board will use Ray and Associates to work on searching for a superintendent for the district.
The Board also discussed grade reconfiguration, mainly focusing on a K-5 / 6-8 model. They made the decision to move forward with planning and what reconfiguration will look like for the district. The earliest that the reconfiguration would be in the district is the Fall of 2028. The district is looking at using reserve funds to invest in the needed remodel of the schools. The district is not looking at increasing taxes or going for a bond issue for this initiative. School boundaries will be considered after the reconfiguration of the district, so students are only moving once during this process.
The Board held an executive session after the completion of all other business. The executive session was for personnel matters for non-elected personnel. No action was taken after the executive session.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, October 13, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Support Center, 1205 Fleming Street.
The Board of Education meeting can be viewed on the USD 457 YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usd457.