The Neenah Joint School District Board of Education approved the 2021 employee health insurance plan at its October 20 meeting. The District will remain with WEA Trust and employee premiums will increase by just 3.9 percent. The meeting also featured a discussion about the recent decisions regarding the status of online and in-person school.
The health insurance plan remains with WEA Trust and has no changes to the providers or wellness plan. The lone changes are in employee premium cost with a 3.9 percent increase in all plans, which is well below the budgeted increase of 12 percent. The dental premiums will increase by 2 percent. The relatively low increase is due to the District’s health insurance utilization dropping to 87 percent for the current year, compared to 99 percent last year and at least 115 percent in the previous four years.
Dr. Pfeiffer provided background on the decision-making process that led the District to move to online learning for two weeks and then return to in-person at the elementary level. Some Board members were concerned about the high levels of COVID cases within the community. There were also questions about the level of involvement of the Winnebago County Health Department in the decision-making.
In other action items, Huffman Facility Development was chosen as an Owner’s Representative to oversee construction of the new high school on behalf of the District. Huffman will represent the District throughout the process of design, construction and occupancy and ensure the District’s best interests are prioritized. The contract is for $752,000, which is below the $950,000 that was included in the referendum amount.
Marie Morrissey was hired as an educational assistant at Horace Mann and Clayton counselor Kelly O’Rourke’s leave of absence was extended through June 30, 2021.
The public budget hearing is set for October 27 at 5:30 p.m. and the next regular Board meeting is set for November 3 at 6 p.m.
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