2024-2025 Annual Report

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IDAHO SCHOOL DISTRICT COUNCIL

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The Idaho School District Council has completed its fifty-third year of operation as a cooperative service agency, serving Idaho school districts and affiliate organizations.  The following report is provided to the membership and is being made available on the ISDC website www.idsdc.org for review by the membership and the general public.

 

The staff of the ISDC includes  Dale Layne, who is completing his fourth year as the part-time ISDC Executive Director, and Tammy Elsmore, who began her service as Business Manager in  November 2022.  Debbie Hainke, full-time Benefits Manager, who provides contracted services to the Idaho School Benefit Trust, completed her tenth year in that position.  Superintendent Shane Williams, West Jefferson School District, served as the Chairman of the Board for the 2024-2025 term.

 

Those serving on the Council Board of Directors were:

 

● Superintendent Todd Howard, Wallace School District, Region 1 representative

● Superintendent Tana Kellogg, Highland School District, Region 2 representative

● Superintendent Wade Wilson, New Plymouth School District, Region 3 representative

● Superintendent Luke Schroeder, Kimberly School District, Region 4 representative

● Superintendent Mark Kress, Snake River School District, Region 5 representative

● Chairman, Superintendent Shane Williams, West Jefferson School District Representative, Region 6 representative

● Vice-Chairman - Superintendent  Stoney Winston, Fruitland School District, ISSA representative

● Retired Superintendent Robin Stanley, Retiree Ex-Officio Representative

 

Throughout the course of the year, there were many opportunities to review the various services of the Council’s operation.  The Council maintained its effort to provide membership quality supplies, good service, and low prices. Business relationships with a variety of vendors were maintained.  

 

The Council has been a visible presence as an exhibitor at the Idaho Association of School Administrators Annual Conference, the Idaho School Boards Association Annual Convention, and the Idaho Association of Business Officials Annual Conference.  Through exposure at these kinds of events, the role and mission of the Council have been reinforced.  

 

The ISDC Board voted to increase ISDC membership dues from $50 per year to $60 per year to help cover increased administrative costs.  The increase will go into effect for the 2025-2026 year. (FY26).

 

The partnerships and endorsements continued with Blue Cross of Idaho, Dental Blue Connect (Willamette Dental of Idaho), Standard Life Insurance, People Systems, Optimizon, Business Psychology Associates, and others.  ISDC continued its established relationship with the brokerage firm,  Acrisure (Previously Murray Group), to assist districts with voluntary benefits.  Acrisure is also handling the Standard Life option for districts.  Acrisure also represents the Idaho School Benefit Trust.  

 

The Council-sponsored Idaho School Benefit Trust began administering to the health and dental needs of the active employees of Council members during the 2015-16 plan year.  The Trust continues to be on solid financial ground, with excess reserves of approximately $3,004,082 as of September 1, 2024.    Gordon Wooley is the Chairman of ISBT.  Other trustees are Vice Chairman Charles Kinsey, Darren Urang, Gaylen Smyer, and Will Overgaard.  

 

As executive director of ISDC, I regularly attend the monthly ISBT meetings as a non-voting participant.

 

The Idaho School District Council Board of Directors retains its role in the administration of the “over 65” health insurance offerings, the Dental Blue Connect offering (Willamette Dental), Standard Life, and other non-medical programs and offerings.

 

The membership of the ISDC for FY25 totaled 162 members representing school districts, charter schools, and affiliates, compared to 160 the previous year.

 

There were 111 groups as of September 1, 2024, enrolled in one or more portions of the Idaho School Benefit Trust  Insurance Program, as compared to 115 groups on August 31, 2023.  

 

The Idaho School District sponsors Dental Blue Connect (Willamette Dental), in which there are 3,349 subscribers and 6,864 members as of June 2025.

 

The unemployment claims monitoring program had 19 participants (FY2024, 19 participants).  One new member joined the program in July.

 

The employee assistance program, offered through BPA Health and endorsed by both the Council and Blue Cross of Idaho, was offered. The most current report indicates 43 participating LEAs with 8,078 members.

 

We began a discussion with 4studentlives as a possible partner.  I continue to be in contact with them to see if an arrangement can be made.

 

This report was prepared by Dale Layne, Executive Director, and presented to the Board of Directors on August 5, 2025. ​​​​

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