(KLZA)-- The Falls City Board of Education learned during their Monday night meeting that District 56 has been awarded $102,212 in Erate funds for fiscal year 2023.

The uses for the funding is for the internal connections necessary to bring broadband into, and provide it throughout the Distrcit 56 buildings. The broadband connections used for educational purposes will include network switchers and transceivers.

The School Board voted to accept the District Audit and Financial Report for the year ending August 31, 2022, and presented by Julie Bauman, CPA, during their November meeting.

Superintendent Tim Heckenlively reported the Educators Health Alliance has approved the 2023-24 school year rates. There will be a 6.87 percent increase in premiums next year for the medical and dental insurance plans used by Falls City Public Schools and nealry every Nebraska school district.

Medical Insurance rates for active employees and retirees will increase 7.2 percent while dental rates for all employees and retirees will remain unchaged. Over the past 10 years, the average annual increase has been 4.5 percent.

There will be no benefit changes for the next year.