Members of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors were hit with a surprise during the board’s meeting Tuesday night in the colonial courthouse when they found out the school system is facing an estimated $750,000 deficit because of rising health insurance costs.

The board considered a resolution authorizing a public hearing to discuss an increase in the real estate tax rate to help offset the cost, but opted instead by a unanimous vote to work with the school board to come up with cost-saving measures both on the part of the school division and the county to close the gap.

County administrator Brent Fedors said the Gloucester School Board chair and vice chair were hesitant to bring the matter up in public forum Tuesday night because of its sensitive nature, particularly as health insurance directly correlates with personnel matters. However, he said he felt compelled to bring it before the board to give supervisors the option of holding a public hearing on changing tax...