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The Board of Education approved the 2025–26 revisions to the 2023–2026 Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Laguna Beach Unified School District and the Laguna Beach Unified Faculty Association (LaBUFA). The agreement, reached through Interest-Based Bargaining, includes a 3% total compensation increase for the 2025–26 school year, comprised of a 2% on-schedule salary increase and two longevity stipends based on years of service.
As part of the discussion, staff highlighted to the Board a variance between district health care contributions in the bargaining agreement and actual healthcare benefit expenditures in recent years. It was stated that the district has been contributing amounts beyond the maximum levels outlined in agreements. An overview of how health benefit expenditures are estimated, along with background on the primary drivers of year-over-year changes, will be provided at the August 14 Board meeting to support continued transparency and informed decision-making.
Of note, health benefit costs are budgeted and adjusted over the course of a fiscal year. Total healthcare expenditures may exceed early estimates due to a variety of routine and expected factors, including:
- Employee plan selection and changes during enrollment periods,
- Staffing changes and the addition of benefit-eligible positions throughout the year, and
- Finalized healthcare plan rates, which often take effect midyear after the budget is adopted.
The district follows conservative budgeting practices by applying a projected annual percentage increase to anticipated healthcare costs. As conditions evolve, updates are incorporated through the First and Second Interim Reports, both of which are reviewed and approved by the Board.
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