42% Hike In Lyons Township High Health Spending

LA GRANGE, IL – As of May, Lyons Township High School has seen a 42 percent increase in spending on employees' medical claims over the previous budget year, according to the latest numbers.

The numbers don't even include June, the last month of the budget year.

This year's spending amounts to $9.3 million, up from last year's $6.6 million.

A district analysis shows that medical spending had been stable over the previous decade.

At Monday's school board meeting, Brian Stachacz, the school's top finance official, called the current budget year's health spending "a real outlier." It has been a subject at meetings for months.

In May, Stachacz said the school was looking to transfer $3.5 million into the benefits account because of the escalating costs. That has since moved down to $2.5 million.

Board member Kari Dillon said the board needs to "keep a pulse" on the health costs.

Meanwhile, officials reported that this year's budget deficit is now estimated to be $2.9 million, but that number may fall.

The district's total fund balance is nearly $52 million.