Columbus City Schools Approves 2027 Employee Health Plan With an 8% Premium Cap

Columbus school building exterior with a school bus in autumn.

Columbus City Schools' Joint Insurance Committee unanimously approved a 2027 employee health plan capping next year's premium increase at 8%, after teachers warned costs could more than double. Open enrollment began October 5.

School district news can feel far removed from a home search, but for many families, understanding what's happening in a local district is part of getting to know a community. This week brought a significant development in Columbus City Schools, where the 2027 employee health insurance plan was settled after a public dispute between the district and its teachers' union.

Here's what was reported, drawn from two ABC6 On Your Side stories, with both sides' positions presented as they were stated. This post reports on the news and doesn't take a side.

What Did the Joint Insurance Committee Approve?

On Monday, September 28, 2026, the district's Joint Insurance Committee met and unanimously approved a health insurance plan for 2027. District leaders said the plan was proposed by the Columbus Education Association, the teachers' union, and that it caps next year's premium increase at 8%. According to the district, the approved plan prevents the steep surcharges that CEA members would otherwise have faced.

Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman thanked labor leaders and the teams representing the district's union members for working closely with the district, saying the goal was quality health benefits for employees in 2027 and a fair share of costs for everyone. Employee open enrollment was scheduled to begin October 5.

What Concerns Did Teachers Raise Before the Vote?

The week before, CEA members gathered outside the district office to say their plan costs could more than double in 2027. Figures provided by the union showed an individual plan costing $65.40 per paycheck at the time, which could rise to $158.66 because of an 8% increase plus a surcharge. A plan covering an employee and children would rise from $192.41 to $466.77 per paycheck, the union said.

The union also said the individual deductible would increase from $750 to $2,000 and the individual out-of-pocket maximum from $2,500 to $6,000. Union leaders said they expected teachers to leave their jobs because of the higher costs, and asked the district to make changes, including delaying the start of open enrollment. Those figures describe the scenario before the plan approved on September 28, which the district says prevents the surcharges.

What Did the District Say?

Before the vote, the district sent a statement saying it had spent six months trying to work with the union on quality insurance for its members, as it had done with other labor partners. It said the district subsidizes 85% of health insurance costs for CEA members and that, because the union voted not to make plan design changes at that earlier committee meeting, the terms of the collective bargaining agreement required a large increase in the charges paid by union employees. The district said it had proposed options to prevent the surcharges, noted that health care costs and usage are rising nationally, and said it remained open to further discussions.

After the September 28 vote, ABC6 reported that it had asked CEA for comment and would update the story if it received a response.

What Is the Financial Backdrop?

The earlier story noted that the cost increase came after an audit projected the district spent about $40 million more than expected on health insurance in 2025 and 2026. District leaders said the figure is closer to $23 million and that the insurance cost increase is unrelated to it. Union leaders said the unexpected spending is part of the problem and asked the district to share the financial burden it caused. ABC6 reported both positions, and they remain a point of disagreement.

How Should You Use News Like This in a Home Search?

District-level news is context, not a verdict. This story is about employee health benefits and a labor negotiation, not about classroom instruction or school boundaries, and it shouldn't be treated as a ranking of any school or neighborhood.

If schools matter to your search, go to official sources. The Ohio Department of Education publishes state report cards, the district publishes its own announcements, and the county auditor or district can confirm which school serves a specific address. School assignment can differ from the city name on a listing, so it's worth verifying by address. Local news can add useful background, but the district's own data and communications should drive your conclusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the Columbus City Schools Joint Insurance Committee approve?

On September 28, 2026, the committee unanimously approved a 2027 employee health plan proposed by the Columbus Education Association that caps next year's premium increase at 8%, according to ABC6.

When does Columbus City Schools employee open enrollment start?

Employee open enrollment was scheduled to begin on October 5, 2026, according to ABC6.

What concerns did Columbus teachers raise about 2027 health costs?

The union said plan costs could more than double, citing an individual plan rising from $65.40 to $158.66 per paycheck, a deductible rising from $750 to $2,000, and an out-of-pocket maximum rising from $2,500 to $6,000, under the scenario before the approved plan.

What did Columbus City Schools say about the insurance dispute?

The district said it subsidizes 85% of health insurance costs for CEA members, had proposed options to prevent surcharges, noted that health care costs are rising nationally, and said it remained open to further discussions.

How can I research a school district before buying a home?

Use official sources such as Ohio Department of Education report cards and the district's own communications, and confirm school assignment for a specific address through the county auditor or the district.

If you're researching school districts as part of a move, I'm always happy to help you find the official data and confirm which school serves an address you're considering.

This content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. All real estate services are provided in compliance with Fair Housing laws, RESPA, TCPA, the REALTOR® Code of Ethics, and Ohio Real Estate Commission advertising regulations. Equal Housing Opportunity. Chrisi Hagan, Collins Lassiter Group, Red 1 Realty.