Board Backs Audit Committee Study of Insurance Pool Deficit

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — The South Dakota Legislature's Executive Board has recommended that a legislative audit committee look into a school district insurance pool with a roughly $8 million deficit that is managed by a nonprofit organization.

The board voted 12-3 on Monday to recommend the Government Operations and Audit Committee study the shortfall in the pool managed by the Associated School Boards of South Dakota.

Association Executive Director Wade Pogany says roughly 60 school districts in the state are included in the pool.

Pogany says the group has taken steps to help make sure premium payments cover the costs of claims moving forward. Those actions include significantly reducing the number of plans available.

Republican Rep. Don Haggar says the shortfall represents a significant amount of money that should be investigated further.

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