MANSFIELD — The Mansfield City School board voted to authorize a request for proposals for a health insurance broker during its meeting Tuesday night.
Specifically, the board approved a resolution directing Treasurer Tammy Hamilla to develop an RFP that will aid the district in securing a “qualified independent health care insurance consultant/broker to provide the Board with an objective audit and analysis of the District’s current insurance coverages as well as available market alternatives, competitive benefit and plan design options, innovations, etc., and potential cost savings.”
“There have been a lot of people that have approached me about wanting to come in and pitch to us about what they can do for us for insurance,” Hamilla told the board.
District officials said the RFP does not mean Mansfield City Schools will change brokers in the end. It simply allows Hamilla to solicit proposals.
It also won’t change anything for district employees in terms of their rates or benefits.
Board president Chris Elswick said the district can’t change the plan provided to union employees under their existing contract, but it could theoretically switch to a more cost-effective provider.
“There isn’t necessarily a hurry or a need to change anything about the plan,” Hamilla said. “This is just putting the option out here that if people want to pitch to us, that we’ll accept that and evaluate that with our insurance committee.”
Rising health insurance care costs have put financial pressure on the district, which self-funds its plan.
The district recently had its insurance broker, Roby Foster Miller Earick, renegotiate its health plan, which district leaders say could save around $2.5 million in costs over the next year.
However, Elswick said the district won’t know for sure how much the plan changes saved the district until later this year, when claims begin to be processed.
Hamilla said with some of the district’s more experienced teachers retiring, Mansfield City Schools may be able to renegotiate costs with its current provider.
“We had some of the more senior people retire, possibly those were some of the higher claimants,” she said. “So we might be able to get a better rating from who we’re with currently, and certainly, we should definitely have a meeting with them first and foremost.”
The board approved the resolution 4-0. Board member Leslie Ward, who works for the district’s current broker, abstained from the vote.
Board approves contract with NEONet for EMIS training
The board also approved a contract with the Northeast Ohio Network for Educational Technology (NEOnet) to provide mentorship to Kevin Uhde, who is taking over the duties of Education Management Information System (EMIS) coordinator.
Uhde was one of several administrators who was terminated at the end of March as part of the deficit reduction staff cuts. The district also terminated district EMIS coordinator Annette Smith.
EMIS is a statewide data collection system for Ohio’s primary and secondary education, including demographic information, attendance, course information, financial data and test results.
School districts are required by law to collect and submit certain data through the EMIS. That data goes on the annual Ohio School Report Cards and impacts how much funding districts receive from the state.
On April 8, the board approved a contract with Uhde to provide “student support services” through July 31, at a cost not to exceed $27,299.76 through the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center.
The mentorship contract is retroactive to April 9 and ends June 30.
Services listed in the contract include coordination of EMIS reporting and training for the district’s designated personnel for $15,136.88.
Outstanding students recognized for musical, athletic achievements
The board also recognized students for their achievements in athletics and the arts.
Celine Bradley, Roland Bruce and Collin Kitzler received superior ratings in a recent Solo and Ensemble Contest. The students are members of the Mansfield Youth Symphony as well as the Mansfield Senior High School orchestra, led by directors Matt Domka and Lindsay Brown.
The students and their directors played a short piece at the board meeting entitled “Alpine Glory” by Erica Donahoe.
Interim athletic director Laurie Romano also recognized Ja’Kyevion Roane, a Tyger basketball player. Roane was named First Team All Ohio and district player of the year this year.
Roane scored 1,198 points during his career at Mansfield Senior High School, making him the fifth highest scorer in the school’s history.