Logic Insurance, BOE Approves School District Health Insurance Liability - No one on the USD 465 board of education was surprised at their Monday evening meeting to learn that insurance premiums for the district will increase for the 2015-16. By a vote of 7-0 the board approved a contract with Kansas Association of School Boards for workers compensation insurance.
The annual premium will be $164,143, up just over $35,500 from last year's $128,609 premium. A general liability insurance contract was once again awarded to Employers Mutual Company through local agents Buterbaugh & Handlin. Premium for that insurance will be $155,555, a 5.8 percent increase over the cost of $147,039 in 2014-2015.
The first would have a $1,000 per person/$3,000 per family deductible. The monthly premium would be $463.02 single/$1,049.77 family. The second plan would be $2,500 per person/$7,500 per family deductible with the premium at $427.98 single/$968.71 family. Currently the district pays $350 of the premium. This amount is currently subject to further discussions and negotiations.
District activities director Billy Tipps presented a proposal to board members for upgrading of the current weight room facility located near Winfield High School.
"This is something we feel very strongly about," Tipps said, "is getting our athletes into the weight room.
"If we expect to compete at the level of other schools, we need our athletes to get stronger, better conditioned and faster."
Tipps was adamant about the weight room’s being a good place to build team cohesiveness, leadership and respect for participants in the various sports.
"We've got to get past this 'I' mentality and think about what's best for the team," Tipps said. "If they work out together, they have an investment in their success as a team."
Tipps said the weight room could potentially be used by almost every middle and high school student even if they do not participate in sports.
"A physical education course is a requirement for graduation," Tipps said, "and with the planned renovations, PE classes could be held there as well."
Tipps said although the current weight room is "adequate," it needs to be updated, and he'd like to be able to take programs to the next level.
"Right now there are lots of things like tarps and such stored in a portion of the building," Tipps said. "When the students come in to lift, they don't know if they're in a weight room or a storage building."
Superintendent J.K. Campbell said some other place to store those materials could certainly be found.
Tipps indicated that a representative from a weight equipment company would soon be visiting the facility to make suggestions and renderings for improvements, which Tipps will bring back to the board.
There are also plans for FFA students to help build lifting platforms and WHS art students to work on interior upgrades.
"This will help keep the cost down," Tipps said, "and we already have some funds available in our athletic budget to use for this."
Tipps reported that the Viking Booster Club has pledged $5,000 in support, which is one-fourth of the estimated $20,000 cost of the renovations. Campbell said there was also the possibility of borrowing from an already established track fund and paying it back over the next several years.
Tipps said there could also be fundraisers including Dillions cards in which a portion of the purchase would be returned to the WHS athletic department and a lift-a-thon in which teams would challenge each other. Coaches of various WMS/WHS sports could also hold fundraisers or make donations out of their budgets.
Tipps also suggested that an upgrade in the projection system be made. "That would allow PE classes to come in and have video instruction for such things as Crossfit, kickboxing and other fitness trends," Tipps said.
"We have the same athletes that other schools have," Tipps continued. “We just have to develop a better way of training and get our athletes to buy in. We need to draw them in with good facilities they can be proud of, then keep them motivated; make this a place where the athletes want to congregate and encourage each other as they train."
In other business, the board:
Littell reported that three sessions are still ongoing for the rest of the month and 32 students have completed one or two classes necessary for credit recovery.
"We still have 72 students continuing to work through this week," Littell said, "trying to finish things up."
Board member Jamie Kaiser asked why summer school was in June only and what will happen to those students who have not completed those courses.
"Budget cuts was the reason for only one month of summer school this year," Littell. "This shortened schedule has been hard on both the students and the instructors."
Littell said for students who have not finished the credit recovery courses needed during the summer, once school starts in the fall, they will give up one elective and continue to work on the credit recovery courses through Odysseyware.
Heard a report about the Future Ready Schools Conference on June 11-12 in Denver, attended by Campbell and other staff members.
The conference was paid for by scholarship dollars with no cost to the district.
"What I liked about the conference was that there were no vendors," Campbell said. "It was just a learning experience with other schools that have very effectively incorporated more technology into their curriculum. We learned that we really need to keep moving forward with technology in our schools."
Prior to the regular meeting, a reception was held at 6:15 for outgoing board members Jason Speegle and Lynn Herlocker, who have completed their four year terms. (Health insurance article source and author: Winfieldcourier.com)
The annual premium will be $164,143, up just over $35,500 from last year's $128,609 premium. A general liability insurance contract was once again awarded to Employers Mutual Company through local agents Buterbaugh & Handlin. Premium for that insurance will be $155,555, a 5.8 percent increase over the cost of $147,039 in 2014-2015.
BOE Approves School District Health Insurance Liability
The board also approved a contract with Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Kansas for a dual option employee health insurance package that had been reviewed by the district's health insurance committee. Employees will have a choice of two health insurance plans with the main difference being determined by the amount of the deductible.The first would have a $1,000 per person/$3,000 per family deductible. The monthly premium would be $463.02 single/$1,049.77 family. The second plan would be $2,500 per person/$7,500 per family deductible with the premium at $427.98 single/$968.71 family. Currently the district pays $350 of the premium. This amount is currently subject to further discussions and negotiations.
District activities director Billy Tipps presented a proposal to board members for upgrading of the current weight room facility located near Winfield High School.
"This is something we feel very strongly about," Tipps said, "is getting our athletes into the weight room.
"If we expect to compete at the level of other schools, we need our athletes to get stronger, better conditioned and faster."
Tipps was adamant about the weight room’s being a good place to build team cohesiveness, leadership and respect for participants in the various sports.
"We've got to get past this 'I' mentality and think about what's best for the team," Tipps said. "If they work out together, they have an investment in their success as a team."
Tipps said the weight room could potentially be used by almost every middle and high school student even if they do not participate in sports.
"A physical education course is a requirement for graduation," Tipps said, "and with the planned renovations, PE classes could be held there as well."
Tipps said although the current weight room is "adequate," it needs to be updated, and he'd like to be able to take programs to the next level.
"Right now there are lots of things like tarps and such stored in a portion of the building," Tipps said. "When the students come in to lift, they don't know if they're in a weight room or a storage building."
Superintendent J.K. Campbell said some other place to store those materials could certainly be found.
Tipps indicated that a representative from a weight equipment company would soon be visiting the facility to make suggestions and renderings for improvements, which Tipps will bring back to the board.
There are also plans for FFA students to help build lifting platforms and WHS art students to work on interior upgrades.
"This will help keep the cost down," Tipps said, "and we already have some funds available in our athletic budget to use for this."
Tipps said there could also be fundraisers including Dillions cards in which a portion of the purchase would be returned to the WHS athletic department and a lift-a-thon in which teams would challenge each other. Coaches of various WMS/WHS sports could also hold fundraisers or make donations out of their budgets.
Tipps also suggested that an upgrade in the projection system be made. "That would allow PE classes to come in and have video instruction for such things as Crossfit, kickboxing and other fitness trends," Tipps said.
"We have the same athletes that other schools have," Tipps continued. “We just have to develop a better way of training and get our athletes to buy in. We need to draw them in with good facilities they can be proud of, then keep them motivated; make this a place where the athletes want to congregate and encourage each other as they train."
In other business, the board:
- Approved 7-0 a 2016 Kansas State Department of Education Child Nutrition and Wellness Program Agreement. This is an annual renewal item required by the State of Kansas to provide school breakfast and lunch services.
- Voted 7-0 to hold a BOE training and goal setting meeting with Kansas Association of School Board leadership consultant Dr. Doug Moechel. The meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. Aug. 19 at the district offices.
- Approved 7-0 the previously recommended revisions to the 2015-2016 elementary, middle and high school handbooks.
- Heard an update regarding WHS summer school from Assistant Superintendent Mark Littell.
Littell reported that three sessions are still ongoing for the rest of the month and 32 students have completed one or two classes necessary for credit recovery.
"We still have 72 students continuing to work through this week," Littell said, "trying to finish things up."
"Budget cuts was the reason for only one month of summer school this year," Littell. "This shortened schedule has been hard on both the students and the instructors."
Littell said for students who have not finished the credit recovery courses needed during the summer, once school starts in the fall, they will give up one elective and continue to work on the credit recovery courses through Odysseyware.
Heard a report about the Future Ready Schools Conference on June 11-12 in Denver, attended by Campbell and other staff members.
The conference was paid for by scholarship dollars with no cost to the district.
"What I liked about the conference was that there were no vendors," Campbell said. "It was just a learning experience with other schools that have very effectively incorporated more technology into their curriculum. We learned that we really need to keep moving forward with technology in our schools."
Prior to the regular meeting, a reception was held at 6:15 for outgoing board members Jason Speegle and Lynn Herlocker, who have completed their four year terms. (Health insurance article source and author: Winfieldcourier.com)
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