Rib Lake board to give staff choice on health insurance

At the Rib Lake Board of Education Meeting on April 13,, the Board voted on and approved switching health insurance companies. Previously, the Rib Lake School District employees have been with WCA Group Health Trust for their health insurance. When looking into renewing the contract with them for next year, WCA came back with a 22% increase in cost. The consortium came back and decided to not go with them this year, and instead put out bids to other companies.

The two companies that came back “reasonable” according to District Administrator Travis Grubbs were Security Health or Aspirus. Security’s health insurance plans were “not very competitive.” They had one plan that was roughly an 8% increase, but only allowed Marshfield Clinic as a provider. Said Grubbs of this issue, “Where we live I do not believe that that is an option.” The other plan that Security offered was a 20-21% increase for the ability to go anywhere, which landed the District in the same boat as with WCA.

Aspirus’ plans were more reasonable to Grubbs and the Board, with a 0% increase for the “Signature Plan” that essentially is just “everywhere but Marshfield.”

They also offered a tiered plan that had an increase of around 8% that would allow district employees to go anywhere with a tiered deductible — if you go to Aspirus it’s a little less, and so on. This plan also has coinsurance.

Grubbs proposed that they go with both plans. The District pays what they normally would for the Signature plan as a base plan. Families on either plan would still choose between a $250 or $500 deductible. Employees could pay to have the “anywhere plan” and would be responsible for the difference in cost.

District would pick up the coinsurance.

The dental insurance cost did not increase and will remain the same next year.

The cost of the District’s Student Insurance will go down, saving the District around $1,200.

In other Business:

  “Our girls made Rib Lake proud,” said Rollie Thums during the citizen’s input section of the meeting, “Not how they played, because they played well, but how they acted as human beings.”

Thums had driven the girl’s softball team to Minnesota for a weekend. He went on to praise the team for being respectful, having fun, and cheering on their teammates. “They represented Rib Lake well, and I’d like the people on this Board and the people in the city to know that.”

  The Board accepted donations from Wayne Tlusty for $30,000 toward the playground project, plus $2500 for PreK-2 supplies. Rib Lake Lions Club donated $5,000 toward the playground, the Fulcrum Foundation granted $150,000, and both Enerquip and BW Paper donated $1,000.

  The Board did not vote to purchase the playground equipment, instead electing to wait and ask around for more potential donations or grants. The Board still needs around $40,000 to “close the gap” to the point where they feel comfortable enough to cover the rest with District funds.

  The results of the Rib Lake Board of Education election ended with Karah Grzanna taking over Jason Dananay’s seat after he decided to step away from being on the Board. Nicole Scheller also won her uncontested race for her school board seat. Grzanna was present at this month’s meeting, though her first official meeting as a member of the Rib Lake Board of Education will be in May.

  The Board approved a pilot program described by District Administrator Travis Grubbs that allows “students to have more access to college-level classes.” The prior policy was that the District covers the cost of the first two “Start College Now” classes per student per semester. Grubbs explains “this would say, if you want to take a third, you can do so if you pay for it, but we would allow it to cover a school class if you also meet certain criteria.” These criteria will include having above a 3.5 GPA and having no unexcused absences.

  Two Rib Lake High School Student Council members came to present the goings-on of the high school.

They informed the Board on a “Day Without Hate,” a “student led organization that promoted nonviolence, unity, and respect in our schools.” This event will take place on Friday, April 28 from 1:40 PM - 3:30 PM in the Rib Lake High School gymnasium. This is open to staff, students, parents, and guests. Activities include a performance from the high school band, video messages from celebrity guests, a wall of kindness, a pep rally, and a school-wide dance. Attendees are asked to wear white.

The students also reported on the courtyard beautification project, as well as updates on the Junior Prom planning.

  The Board of Education approved the Summer School packet for this summer’s program offerings.

  The Board had a first reading of new Board Policy 445: Student Interviews with Outside Agencies. This is a new policy for the Rib Lake School District, but has mostly been covered by State law.

  The Board approved renewing their contract with Bartelt Bus Service. This increased the cost to the District by $33,000.

  Amy Blomberg was named the Taylor County Educator of the Month. Elementary Principal Jon Dallmann praised Blomberg’s excellence in the school, talking about her scheduling skills and passion for helping the students.

  Dominick Classen is this year’s recipient of the Technical Excellence Scholarship, and Theodore Robisch is the recipient of the Academic Excellence Scholarship.