Nicolet Delves into Bidding Health Care

In an effort to dig up additional savings, the School Board has begun to review the pros and cons of bidding out the district's health care plan. 

The health care provider for Nicolet staff is WEA Trust. Mark Moody, CEO and president, and Kathryne McGown, vice president of marketing and development, both of WEA Trust, spoke at the School Board meeting Wednesday evening. They answered questions about potential changes to the insurance plans if the budget repair bill is enacted, and gave a brief overview of possible credits, along with answering other questions from the audience and board.

"The cost of health care has become almost a crushing burden for business and for government," Moody said. "The cost of health care is the leading cause of personal bankruptcy."

Board member Jennifer Peltz asked if there would be a possibility for an "adult plus one" or "adult plus child" option instead of the traditional single and family choices.

Rae Anne Beaudry, an independent benefits consultant with the Horton Group, explained that an addition like that is possible, but that it would certainly increase family premiums. 

"We don't want to demolish benefits, but there's a budget reality," Beaudry said.

The board did not vote on any changes or modifications to the health care plan, but newly elected School Board member Joseph Kasle proposed forming a committee to review the bidding of the health care plan more in depth.

Also at Wednesday's School Board meeting:

• Kelly Herda, newly retired Nicolet School Board member, swore in the two new board members, Morton Grodsky and Joseph Kasle.
• The board approved an overnight trip for the tennis team when it heads to Verona for a two-day tournament April 29-30.
• The board denied an application to Youth Options for a student who wanted to take an introductory computer programming class. Youth Options allows students to take a class not offered at Nicolet at another institution for a fee covered by the school. Nicolet plans to offer this class this year, so the need to travel to another school is no longer necessary.
• Nicolet will get new energy efficient lighting, updates to the roof and refurbished lockers.
• Two teachers will retire and one will resign. Two additions are being made, one a seasonal grounds employee and another the new weight room supervisor.