Centre school board raises base pay for teachers
By ROWENA PLETT
Reporter / photographer
After spending 40 minutes in executive session Sept. 9, Centre USD board members unanimously ratified a negotiated settlement with teachers for the 2002-2003 year.
Under the agreement, base pay will be increased by $805 to $27,615. This results in an average pay increase for returning teachers of 3.016 percent.
Other changes include an increase in supplemental pay for the 5-12 head teacher from 8 percent to 12 percent of base and for high school head track coach from 6 to 8 percent.
In addition to sick leave clarifications, the new agreement changes the cancer insurance premium from a before-tax item to an after-tax item.
Teachers who reach 65 on a single-plan health insurance package will switch to Medicare, and the district will reimburse them for the premium on supplemental Plan 65.
Board clerk Peggy Falen said the change will keep 65 and older teachers from having to pay deductibles and also will benefit the district because premiums are based on the average age of teachers.
Teachers who reach age 65 whose spouses are younger can maintain their current policy until the spouse reaches 65 to prevent the spouse from losing coverage.
Beneke apologizes
Todd Beneke, a 1992 graduate, was present at the meeting to fulfill a court order to apologize to the board for the mooning incident during commencement exercises in May.
"Now I know it was stupid," he said.
He said it offended more people than he thought and realized it had taken away from the honor of the event.
Beneke also has to complete 20 hours of community service.
The board spent considerable time discussing insurance concerns. District broker Ron Dupy said few insurance companies want to deal with school districts. He said the 9/11 incident wiped out 25 percent of total reserves held by insurance companies.
He said he wouldn't be surprised to see an increase of 40-60 percent on primary insurance premiums with higher deductibles and more restrictions. Last year's total premium on property casualty/liability insurance for Centre USD was $63,000.
Dupy noted the district had two claims in the past several years. Both awards were substantial, including $61,000 for hail damage and $83,000 on an injury claim.
Superintendent Demitry Evancho complained that the school wasn't allowed to pay
the medical claim directly. He also noted that insurance money collected for hail damage on the high school roof didn't equal replacement value.
Dupy said the large insurance companies are headquartered on the coasts and don't like the Midwest because of its history of wind storms.
If, in addition to that, you are in a rural area, you are a school, and you have a history of claims, you have a big problem, Dupy said.
When board president Ronnie Carlson asked if a better fire rating would help, Dupy said he didn't think so.
"The market is extremely tight," he said.
"They're pricing us right out of the market," remarked frustrated board member John Garrard.
Dupy took John Lohmeyer's place as broker for the district. His contract expired in August.
He said he will continue to serve the district until a new contract can be signed.
Board member Jennifer Kassebaum suggested putting the broker's fee toward the new premium since the current market doesn't allow for much negotiation.
"Why not deal directly with the insurance company?" she asked.
Dupy pointed out that his flat fee is less than what a commission would be. He also noted that his company, Insurors and Investors, Inc., can settle claims quickly.
Board members Carlson, Clark Davis, and others expressed a desire to stay with the broker.
In a 7-0 vote, the board renewed Dupy's contract. A change in the compensation clause authorizes payment of the lesser of a $7,500 fee or 10 percent of the new property casualty/liability insurance premium.
Other actions included:
— approval of a request from the Kenny Strodas to keep their two children, Joseph and Seth, as students at CES even though they are moving into another district.
— approval of a field trip for three gifted students on Oct. 24. Nancy Thomas will be accompanying her students to the "400 Years of Imperial Grandeur — The Treasures of the Tsars" exhibit in Topeka. A bus from Hillsboro school district will pick up and return the students — fourth graders Jacob Jirak and Derek Stuchlik and fifth grader Carlye Simons.
— employment of Nanette Forsberg as concession stand manager at the rate of $8 per hour.
— authorization of advancement on the salary schedule for math instructor Laura Howard, based on completion of a five-credit undergraduate Calculus II course. The course work allowed Howard to obtain a provisional certificate in comprehensive mathematics.
— approval of an in-service transcript for Gail Lorson.
Superintendent Demitry Evancho informed the board that he is negotiating a boiler treatment program for the two school sites at a cost of approximately $780. The boilers will be monitored for leaks.
He spent 20 minutes in executive session with the board to discuss personnel.
Treasurer Falen reported a closing cash balance on Aug. 31 of $1,087,290.47. Warrants approved for payment totaled $74,099.19. General fund transfers included $10,000 to transportation, $5,000 to technology, and $10,000 to vocational education.
