MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) -- Alabama's State Board of Education said at meeting Thursday that it's costing more to provide health insurance benefits to teachers, which could impact their priorities as they plan for the 2027 fiscal year.

State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey said over $300 million is needed to balance PEEHIP, or the Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan, for teachers and retirees. That is because of rising healthcare costs for members. "All this other stuff we're asking for- there's gonna be a very small sliver of the budget to fund other stuff out of," said Dr. Mackey. "Again, I think that a lot of negotiations are gonna happen between now and then."

Dr. Mackey said the cost could change, but it puts a burden on the education budget.

Budget chairman Sen. Arthur

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