Adrian, MI – When Dan Garno retired from the Lenawee Intermediate School District at the end of the 2025-26 school year, he left behind an initiative that continues to benefit thousands of public school employees and their families.

As the LISD's Executive Director of Staff Resources, Garno helped develop what is now the Lenawee/Hillsdale County Health Consortium. Since its creation in 2012, the consortium has saved participating school districts and their employees an estimated $18.8 million in health insurance premiums.

The idea emerged during one of the most challenging financial periods for public schools.

When Garno joined the LISD in 2010, school districts were facing shrinking revenues while health insurance premiums continued to climb at double-digit rates. Districts were searching for ways to reduce costs without sacrificing employee benefits or making deeper cuts to staff.

"We were faced with the need to lay off staff or at least reduce their pay to make ends meet with our declining tax revenues," Garno said. "There was a lot of concern about doing everything possible to limit layoffs and reductions in staff pay."

During a meeting of the Lenawee County Superintendents Association, local leaders discussed new Michigan legislation that allowed public employers to negotiate health insurance together. They asked the LISD to explore whether a regional approach could work.

"There really wasn't a roadmap," Garno said. "Because the consortium concept was brand new, we had no idea what to expect."

What followed was nearly a year of planning, legal work, and conversations with school boards, employee unions, insurance professionals, and district leaders. According to Garno, the biggest challenge was earning the trust needed for independent districts to work together.

The effort paid off.

The first competitive insurance bid included eight Lenawee County school districts and generated more than $2 million in savings while maintaining nearly the same level of employee benefits. Within a few years, every public school district in Lenawee County had joined the consortium, followed by nearly every public school district in Hillsdale County.

Today, nearly 15 years later, the consortium continues to provide competitive insurance rates while helping school employees keep more of their hard-earned income.

"The fact that so many employees and their families have benefited is what I'm most proud of," Garno said. "Not only have they been able to save more of their hard-earned income, they have been able to spend those dollars in the communities in which they live."

Garno is quick to point out that the consortium was never the work of one person. He credits the Lenawee County Superintendents Association, participating school districts, employee groups, and the many LISD staff members who have helped guide the consortium over the years.

"The success over the years would not have been possible without a huge team effort," he said. "I am just humbled and pleased to have had the privilege of being part of that team."

Current LISD Superintendent Mark Haag, who served as superintendent of Onsted Community Schools when the consortium was formed, remembers the effort required to bring the consortium from an idea to reality.

"Though Dan has always been quick to share credit for this important initiative, I can say unequivocally that without his and his LISD team's leadership and persistence, I don't believe this would have happened," Haag said. "Following its early financial success, colleagues from across the region and state frequently reached out to learn more and try to replicate the model. While some succeeded, many were unable to achieve this level of long-term collaboration and sustainability."

Looking back, Garno admits he never expected the initiative to become what it is today.

"I continue to be amazed that for nearly 15 years and counting, the success continues," he said.