Mason City Schools employees for the 2026-2027 school year will see lower health insurance premiums on one plan option and modest increases on another, after the Board of Education approved new agreements with both district unions at a special meeting Friday, July 10.
The board signed Memorandums of Understanding with the Mason Education Association and the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, finalizing two Anthem High Deductible Health Plan options for the coming year, according to a district press release published the same day.
Staff enrolled in the lower-deductible plan, which carries a $2,000 individual/$4,000 family deductible, will pay up to $14.46 less per month for individual coverage and up to $35.55 less per month for family coverage. Those on the higher-deductible $3,400/$6,800 plan will pay up to $5.13 more per month individually and up to $12.61 more for family coverage.
The district will also continue contributing $1,000 annually to employees' Health Savings Accounts for individual coverage and $2,000 for family coverage.
"I'm grateful for the collaborative work of MEA, OAPSE, our Health Care Committee and district leadership to deliver both financial stewardship and care for our employees," Board President Ian Orr said in the district's announcement.
The agreements were developed through a joint process involving district leadership, union representatives from both MEA and OAPSE, and the district's Health Care Committee. Orr said the group focused on preserving employee choice while managing costs for the district. The agreements also maintain existing dental, vision, and life insurance benefits.
Mason City Schools serves approximately 10,289 students across Mason and Deerfield Township, according to Public School Review data.
The special session on July 10 came three days after the board's Tuesday, July 7 regular meeting, which addressed other back-to-school items including 2026-2027 school handbooks, school fees, and breakfast and lunch prices.
The board's five members are President Ian Orr, Vice President Matt Steele, Desiree Batsche, Charles Galvin, and Danielle Tymitz. Meeting dates are posted at masonohioschools.com.
