Muskego-Norway Retains Alternative Benefit Plan, But Reduces Compensation

Scot Ecker's memo to the was, in his words, "a very confusing memo, but represented what the board indicated they wanted in terms of information" regarding the options in providing an alternative benefit plan (ABP) to its employees.

ABP allows employees who do not wish to enroll in health insurance through the district to receive a stipend, or dollars, to spend on their own options. The stipend was 90 percent of the WEA plan, or approximately $8,700 yearly.  That was to be reduced to 87.4 percent as of Jan. 1, 2012.  Under the new insurance plan adopted at the last board meeting, the same 87.4 percent applied to the lower-cost United Health Care is $6,945 (a 17.6 percent decrease).

The board also could choose to reduce the WEA stipend by $180, a 2.2 percent reduction, or keep the dollar amount the same.  They could also opt to come up with a completely different option.

Discussion was brief, and board members felt the first option, which applied the same percentage of 87.4 to the UHC plan would still offer a great benefit to their teachers, especially when compared to other districts.  Muskego's yearly payment for ABP benefits was more than $2,500 over the average for the schools in the CESA (Council on Educational Standards and Accountability) 1 District, of which Muskego is a part.

The board voted to adopt the ABP, with a review in spring 2012, and a yearly review thereafter, on a unanimous vote.