Idaho School District Council (ISDC)

Annual Report to the Board of Directors and Membership

Presented: August 3, 2026

Prepared by: Dale Layne, Executive Director

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Introduction & Governance

The Idaho School District Council has successfully completed its 54th year of operation as a cooperative service agency, serving Idaho school districts and affiliate organizations. This report is provided to the membership and is available to the public on the ISDC website at www.idsdc.org.

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ISDC Staffing

• Executive Director: Dale Layne (completing his fifth year as part-time Executive Director).

• Business Manager: Tammy Elsmore transitioned to a full-time position with another entity as of June 1, exiting her role with ISDC. The Council expresses deep appreciation for her years of service and contributions since November 2022. An experienced, retired school business manager has been selected to fill the position, pending official Board approval at the August meeting.

• Benefits Manager: Debbie Hainke completed her 11th year providing contracted services to the Idaho School Benefit Trust (ISBT), having served the Trust since its inception.

 

2025–2026 Board of Directors

• Chairman: Superintendent Shane Williams, West Jefferson School District (Region 6)

• Vice-Chairman: Superintendent Stoney Winston, Fruitland School District (ISSA Representative)

• Region 1 Representative: Superintendent Todd Howard, Wallace School District

• Region 2 Representative: Superintendent Tana Kellogg, Highland School District

• Region 3 Representative: Superintendent Wade Wilson, New Plymouth School District

• Region 4 Representative: Superintendent Luke Schroeder, Kimberly School District

• Region 5 Representative: Superintendent Mark Kress, Snake River School District

• Retiree Ex-Officio Representative: Retired Superintendent Robin Stanley

 

Operations & Vendor Partnerships

The Council maintained its ongoing commitment to providing membership-quality supplies, excellent service, and competitive pricing. Key updates from the past year include:

• Copy Paper Procurement: ISDC transitioned to Staples as its new copy paper partner, securing improved pricing for members.

• New Partnerships: AllyHealth has been added as a new partner; informational materials are currently being distributed to members.

• Partnership Dissolutions: The partnership with M2 Automation has concluded.

• Advocacy & Visibility: The Council reinforced its mission and maintained a strong presence by exhibiting at the Idaho Association of School Administrators (IASA) Annual Conference, the Idaho School Boards Association (ISBA) Annual Convention, and the Idaho Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) Annual Conference.

 

Financial & Membership Metrics

To cover rising administrative expenses, the ISDC Board implemented a dues increase from $50 to $60 per year, effective for the 2025–2026 fiscal year (FY26).

     Metric                                                                                                  Prior Period                      Current Period (FY26)

     Total ISDC Membership (Districts, Charters, Affiliates)                           162                                              159

     ISBT Insurance Program Groups                                                111 (as of Sept.  2024)                            108

     Dental Blue Connect Groups                                                                    —                                            54 LEAs

     Over 65 Members                                                                                                                                 388 Members

     Unemployment Claims Monitoring Participants                                        19                                                21

     Employee Assistance Program (BPA Health) LEAs                                  41                                           40 LEAs

 

Endorsements & Benefit Programs

The ISDC Board of Directors continues to retain administrative oversight for the "over 65" health insurance offerings, Dental Blue Connect (Willamette Dental), Standard Life, and other non-medical programs.

• Brokerage Services: ISDC maintained its relationship with Acrisure (formerly the Murray Group) to assist districts with voluntary benefits, the Standard Life option, and representation for the Idaho School Benefit Trust.

• Ongoing Endorsements: Partnerships continue with Blue Cross of Idaho, Dental Blue Connect, Standard Life Insurance, People Systems, Optimizon, and Business Psychology Associates (BPA) Health.

 

Idaho School Benefit Trust (ISBT) Update

The Council-sponsored ISBT has managed the health and dental needs of active member employees since the 2015–2016 plan year. Executive Director Dale Layne regularly attends the monthly ISBT meetings.

• Rate Renewal Notice: Due to rising medical costs and high utilization, the renewal rate for the 2026–2027 school year will increase by 19.5%. Districts are strongly encouraged to consult with their brokers and advisors to explore plan adjustments that may mitigate this increase.  High claims this year have caused ISBT to review future operations.  For the plan year 2026-2027, the plan will return to a fully insured program.

• ISBT Board of Trustees: Led by Chairman Gordon Wooley and Vice Chairman Charles Kinsey, alongside trustees Darren Urang, Gaylen Smyer, and Will Overgaard.