ShawneeDispatch.com

The Shawnee Mission USD 512 Board of Education on Monday approved 6-0 a health insurance package that includes a 14.5 percent cost increase.

Bob DiPierro, deputy superintendent of operations, said this was the second-year renewal with Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the increase actually came in as less than the maximum guaranteed increase, which was 15.5 percent.

Joy Torgerson, manager of human resources, said the cost increase came in lower than the maximum based on usage.

“They take what the premium has been and the claims over the last years, and the underwriter determines what an appropriate premium is going to be,” she said. “I am certain that medical costs are going up with everything else. Part of it is the cost of materials, and doctors’ time.”

The Board of Education approved the increase 6-0. Board member Deb Zila was absent.

In other business the board:

• Approved 6-0 amending the 2007-08 budget to allow for the transfer of funds to different areas in the budget so no specific funds would be overdrawn.

• Approved 6-0 banking services with United Missouri Bank for health savings accounts for the 2008-09 school year.

• Had the first reading of a revised staff family leave policy that allows for leave if a staff member or a member of his or her family is injured in the armed forces. This change follows a January revision to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act.

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