ORR School Committee — January 28, 2026

The Old Rochester Regional School Committee met on January 28, 2026, in a hybrid session. Following an executive session to discuss collective bargaining and legal matters, the committee received detailed updates regarding the financial instability and projected deficits of the Gateway Health Group, the district's joint health insurance purchasing group. Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber reported that Gateway's projected deficit had grown to between $4.6 million and $8 million, driven by high claims, decreased stop-loss reimbursements, and GLP-1 drug utilization, prompting Gateway to suspend its broker NFP and appoint The Hilb Group. Independent healthcare consultant Patrick Harridan of Lockton presented potential alternatives, highlighting ongoing discussions to potentially join the Mayflower Municipal Health Group, which holds roughly $30 million in excess reserves.

To preserve flexibility under contractual notification deadlines, the school committee voted unanimously (8-0) to withdraw from the Massachusetts Strategic Health Group (MSHG) effective July 1, 2026, which currently provides coverage to Medicare retirees. Additionally, the committee voted unanimously (8-0) to appoint the Wagner Law Group as special legal counsel, with expenditures not to exceed $20,000, to evaluate the administration of the Gateway Trust and the actions of its third-party health insurance broker.

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