School board approves new health benefit costs, fund

Brown County Schools employees and retirees will be paying more for health insurance next year.

In addition to the new premiums, the school board also approved a contract with Anthem for a Brown County Schools Health Benefit Trust. The trust will allow the school district to build up money to be used for emergency medical situations by raising premiums and school board contributions, Superintendent Laura Hammack said.

Previously, those types of emergency medical bills were paid for out of the general fund, which has a deficit of more than $1 million.

Premiums for a single person with a $1,000 deductible increase from $132.80 to $139.44, based on 18 pays. A single retiree with a $1,000 deductible will pay a $371.85 premium compared to $231.92 premium in May 2016 after VEBA Bridge Coverage.

School board approves retirements, personnel moves

The Brown County School Board of Trustees approved the following April 20:

• A contract and license agreement between Brown County Schools and Transfinder for transportation software to better manage and map rural bus routes for a grand total of $17,240. This is a one-time cost for setup and professional development. It will be paid from the district’s transportation fund and not the general fund, Superintendent Laura Hammack said.
• An administrator benefits handbook. “We’ve never had a comprehensive handbook that includes the various benefits for the administrative team,” Hammack said. “We have one for certified teachers, but not administrators.”
• Retirement notice of Carol Sue Owens, effective end of July.
• Retirement notices of Sarah Burke, Donna Duff and Jeff Lepore at the end of the 2016-2017 school year.
• A bus route shuttle extension from Helmsburg Elementary School with Dallas Transportation LLC effective March 27 for $47.50 per day.
• A route extension for bus 11, Brester Transportation LLC, for an additional 10.4 round trip miles per day, $5.55 per mile. This is due to the State Road 135 North bridge closures. Cost per day is $57.72, effective April 3, with an estimated finish of Aug. 23.
• A route extension for bus 19, Dallas Transportation LLC, for 10.4 round-trip miles per day at $5.07 per mile. This is due to the State Road 135 North bridge closures. Cost per day is $52.73, effective April 3, with an estimated finish date of Aug. 23.
• Continuing the summer school feeding program, beginning May 30 through Aug. 2. Lunch sites with free meals for all children younger than 18 will be open at Brown County High School, the Brown County YMCA and Forest Hills Apartments.
• Allowing an additional seven hours per week to the graduation coach at BCHS, Shannon Brunton. She will work 32 hours per week, full-time with benefits, effective immediately. This position is funded by the Brown County Career Resource Center.
• A maternity leave request for Helmsburg Elementary teacher Sara Draper April 6 through the end of the 2016-2017 school year. Long-term substitute Cortney Hitchcock was appointed to replace her, $197.76 per day, level BS-0. Long-term substitute Karen Kirby was appointed to replace Hitchcock, $242.73 per day, M-5 rate, effective April 17. Hitchcock was covering Malini Stiles’ maternity leave at Helmsburg.
• Separating BCHS second-shift custodian Judith Walker, effective April 8. This was not a termination. Walker was appointed second-shift custodian, full-time with benefits, $11 per hour, eight hours per day, effective April 6 as a replacement for Pam Badger at BCHS.
• Separating BCHS varsity assistant coach Doug Payne, effective immediately. This was not a termination.
• Separating Helmsburg kindergarten teacher Carolyn Moore, effective at the end of the 2016-2017 school year. This was not a termination.
• Separating Brown County Intermediate School fifth-grade teacher Katie Yoder, effective May 30. This was not a termination. To replace Yoder, Erica Garman was transferred from BCIS fifth-grade art/sixth-grade citizenship and business. Garman will teach fifth-grade English/language arts for the 2017-2018 school year.
• Appointing BCIS long-term substitute teacher Jane Davis, $242.73 per day, M-5 rate, effective May 2 until the end of the 2016-2017 school year. She is filling in for Becky Higgins’ maternity leave.
• Appointing BCHS assistant track coach Robert Newlin, $1,535 stipend, for the 2016-2017 school year. This is a new position.
• Appointing HES night custodian Cody Roberts, full-time with benefits, $11 per hour, eight hours per day, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., effective April 21. He is a replacement for Kim Mappes. Mappes was promoted to head custodian, full-time with benefits, $11.50 per hour, eight hours per day, effective April 10, as a replacement for Robby Johnson.
• Transferring BCHS intense intervention paraprofessional Jonathon Sindlinger to HES paraprofessional full-time with benefits, $10.25 per hour, Monday through Friday, seven hours per day, effective April 3. This is a new position.
• Transferring BCHS science teacher Kady Lane to BCJHS science teacher for the 2017-2018 school year. She and Wendy Weddle switched jobs.