HOLYROOD — In order to save money the Central Plains USD 112 board of education voted by consensus not to provide the Student Assurance student insurance coverage for the 2019-20 school year.

“I’ve always been a big advocate for this,” said board member Brad Schiermeyer during the June 27 year-end meeting at Central Plains Elementary School in Holyrood. “Just because we are asking those kids to participate in a sport. But I think we need to find savings.”

“Knowing that this is an excess policy, that is not primary coverage — it is excess over what the parents already have, and that it is meant to help with deductibles, co-pays, those kinds of things that wouldn’t typically be covered, I, like Brad, historically thought this was a good thing to offer,” said board vice president Tony Zink. “And if it were primary coverage for that amount of money, I would strongly suggest we do it again and we keep doing it. It would be good money spent. But as excess coverage, when you look at the dollars that have been paid out, I would be open to the idea of just simply offering it to the parents.”

Parents will have the option to purchase coverage if they so decide.

Before the vote, superintendent Greg Clark presented three payment options to the board for consideration. Under the Student Assurance Program, the district would pay $17,305 for the year with no deductible or $15,100.50 with a $250 deductible to cover every student in the district. A third option would be the students pay on their own. Under that option, Clark said parents can buy general coverage for $85 per student, per year, with an optional $7 dental rider for a total of $92 per student, per year.

Clark said the district has paid Student Assurance $140,000 in premiums over the last eight years. He added there has been $130,000 paid on 189 claims.

Last year, the district paid Student Assurance $16,917 and the program paid out $9,000 in claims.

Clark said he struggled with a recommendation to the board.

“It is a good cost savings, but it does also provide some good coverage for our kids,” he said.

In other business:

• In order to better determine the future of USD 112, Clark said he is forming a USD 112 Futures Committee. Three people from each community will be asked to volunteer for the committee to help lead the district into the future. Gary Sechrist of the Kansas Association of School Boards, will help lead the group.

Clark said the group will start in August and meet monthly with Sechrist plus one other time during the month alone as a group.

“It’s going to be part of the school but separate,” Clark said. “What I am looking for are people that are positive influencers. People that will look at our situation, come to the table, and talk with the constituents in their communities to learn what do we want to see this district be in five years, in 10 years. People with an open mind that will help move our district forward.”

The committee will report to the USD 112 board in January.

“It’s a good idea,” said Michelle Brokes, board president.

• By consensus, the board allowed the Farmer Township Library to stay in the school building at Bushton as the district moves forward with what to do with that building.

“I think that would be a good use for that building,’ Clark said. “They’re only open I think two days a week for six hours a day.”

Clark said the library will provide its own internet. He noted a possible problem is access to bathrooms.

“That building is not isolated to where you can shut off water to everything but just one set of bathrooms,” he said.

“I don’t think the bathroom is a deal- breaker,” said Farmer Township board member Leah Sturn, who attended the meeting with board member Shirley Ramsey.“We’d like to have it, but it’s not necessary.”

“I think that is a positive thing the community of Bushton is doing — providing that library,” Clark said.“I personally would like to see it continue. It’s not going to be a hardship on us at all.”

Zink and Brokes agreed.

Brokes suggested John Sherman, USD 112 board attorney, draw up an agreement with the Farmer Township Library board.

• An agreement with the Graduation Alliance program was approved. The program provides versatile pathways to high school graduation for youth and adults as well as college and career exploration using facility-based, blended or fully online settings.

Clark said the district is in a nolose situation with the program. It will save the district $17,000.

• Approval was given to pay the workman’s compensation policy for the 2019-20 school year at $50,239.

• Approval was given to renew property liability insurance for the district at a premium cost of $144,861.

“That’s up about $14,000 from last year,” Clark said.

A presentation on possible changes to the district’s insurance coverage will be given by Wright Speciality Insurance at the July board meeting due to the decision to close Central Plains Middle School in Bushton.

“We make changes to that policy all the time,” Clark added.