NORTH KINGSTOWN — The School Committee wants teachers and other employees to pay more for health care, a move that could save the district $450,000.

Committee members last night voted to ask the teachers union to return to the bargaining table and agree to have its members shoulder 15 percent of the cost of health care premiums. The move would cost teachers about $1.30 more a day, but would keep administrators from laying off a principal and other school employees.

If the union agrees, the health-care increase would affect all workers –– union or not –– under the current school policy. That includes administrators.

Member Douglas Roth, who recently stepped down as chairman, proposed the move to save the district money. School officials earlier said they are facing a $2.3-million shortfall in the year that begins July 1. To remedy that, they are looking at laying off dozens of school employees, including a principal and 10 teachers.

The teachers’ contract accounts for the lion’s share of the school budget, Roth said. “I would hope the teachers would approve the change to save some jobs,” he said.

When the committee approved raises and stipends for the teachers, it did not anticipate “explosive health care costs,” he said.

New board Vice Chairman Larry Ceresi (Janice DeFrances was named chairwoman last week) reminded his colleagues that they all approved the contract earlier.

Still, he said, “Anytime two bodies come to the table … and hopefully collaborate, I think that’s a good thing.”

But Ceresi and committee member Melvoid Benson said they are disappointed that Supt. Priscilla Feir has not proposed cuts in central administration.

“There seems to be an unwillingness to look at some areas,” said Ceresi, who said he also recommended cuts in the sports budget.

“All of the positions have been considered,” countered Feir.

Resident William Mudge said teachers might be reluctant to accept the premium share increase if the budget isn’t completed.

“How can they agree if they don’t know what cuts will be made?” he asked.

The School Committee earlier approved a $56.8-million budget for the year that begins July 1.

In other business, Ceresi asked that the board appoint DeFrances and Benson to a recognition committee for the renamed Quidnessett Elementary School.

The Town Council last year voted to name the school after Suzanne M. Henseler, a former teacher and state representative, who died last year.

More than 200 families in the neighborhood protested, but did not sway the council.

Last night, Roth said he was concerned that the proposed renaming never appeared on the School Committee agenda. It wasn’t properly discussed with the residents, he added.

Earlier, Roth also argued that the Town Council did not have the authority to rename school buildings.

But Ceresi argued that the council spent six hours discussing the change, and met at the school at one point.

“The process has been followed. We’ve sat on our hands for months. It’s disgraceful.”

Committee member April Brunelle agreed. “It’s done. It’s a done deal. Now it’s a matter of respect. We just need to go forward and have a nice ceremony” and honor Henseler and her family.

In a lengthy political career, Henseler served more than six years on the School Committee before being elected in 1982 to the House. In 1992, she became the state’s first female House majority whip, a post she held for 10 years.

pdavis@projo.com