- December 15, 2025
After tabling a decision on a health plan renewal April 14, the Flagler County School Board, in its April 17 regular meeting, voted to renew its partnership with United Health Care. To offset a 9.2% rate increase, it also approved a 5% increase to its own contribution.
The approval passed 4-1, with board member Colleen Conklin in opposition.
Conklin opposed not because she disagreed with the plan, she said. “It was purely based on my disgust on the astronomical rates that we get year after year,” she explained.
The decision to renew its health plan was made based on an 18-person internal insurance committee, made of administrators, staff and one School Board member (Trevor Tucker) who met to discuss the plan options in seven separate meetings.
Two of the main reasons they recommended remaining with United Health Care rather than transitioning to Florida Health Care, a committee representative said, was that many employees indicated that they did not want to deal with doctor referrals or have to stay with one primary physician. United Health Care gives them leeway in both of those areas.
A 5% health contribution increase from the board means $318,501.12 per year extra taken from its budget. Insured employees’ monthly rates will increase about $20. The plans include health, vision, dental, life and long-term disability.
The school system will also investigate self-insurance options, for use in future years.
At the end of the meeting, the board discussed whether it would place the half-penny sales tax referendum on the ballot for the primary or presidential election. A decision on the topic will be made prior
to the board’s next executive session, Tuesday, April 24. Flagler County Educators Associations
President Katie Hanson has also pledged her support to the rally for the tax’s renewal.
