Edgar board OK’s insurance proposal
The Edgar Board of Education last week Wednesday agreed to continue to buy its insurance from Stratford Insurance Co. even though it did not submit a low bid. Board members, following a recommendation from school administration, went with the local company because of exceptional customer service. Two other bidders–TIC, Appleton, and R & R, Waukesha– failed to submit bids by an official deadline.
District administrator Dr. Cari Guden said she preferred to stay with Stratford Insurance because it marketed EMC insurance, which is used by many schools, and the local agent had provided superior service.
“He’s built a good relationship and he’s very active,” she said. “If I have a question, he gets in his truck, drives over here and helps us out.”
She said the service was worth an extra $1,320 in premiums. Stratford Insurance’s bid was $70,055.
Board member Gary Lewis voted for the contract but pushed back against the recommendation. He noted that the insurance bid represented a 13 percent increase.
“That’s a heck of a big jump,” he said.
Guden said the increase reflected a increase in the school district’s workman’s compenation insurance, which increased because of an injury to non-teaching staff, and an increase in property insurance. The district will increase the insurable value of the school from $31 million to $43 million.
Lewis said the district had to keep employees safe to save money on workman’s compensation. “Make sure that doesn’t happen again,” he said. “That will kill you.”
Guden said the school takes every precaution to avoid injuries.
Board member Pam Stahel said she wanted to stay with Stratford Insurance because other bidders did not meet the deadline for insurance bids. “That they didn’t meet the deadlines tells me about their customer service,” she said. “That makes me nervous from the start.” In other school board business:
n In a board reorganization, board members elected Corey Mueller as school board president. Other officers are Gary Lewis, vice president; Rebecca Normington, clerk; Pam Stahel, treasurer.
n Administrator Guden reported that Edgar Food Service breakfast meals served were down from last year, lunches served were up and, overall, the food service program was doing well with a $10,000 cash balance. She said the food service program would purchase a salad bar with sneeze guard, milk cooler and kitchen fans for next school year.
She noted that June 3 would be the last of a federally-provide free lunch and breakfast program.
n Elementary school principal Dr. Lisa Witt said she hoped for a summer school with an enrollment around 450.
She reported that 94.7 percent of elementary school students scored in the “core healthy” range on a b.e.s.t. mental health screener in the fall, but, by the end of the year, that percentage had faded to 92.7. “We see more challenges,” she said. Students who are not “core healthy” fit into “intensive,” “strategic” and “emergency” categories. Witt reported that a passed referendum will mean adding sections with extra staff in first and third grades.
n Board members approved these head sports coaches for the 2022-23 school year: Jerry Sinz, football; Evan Krebsbach, volleyball; Dennis Webb, cross country; David Huss, boys basketball; Tom McCarty, girls basketball; Andrew Lukasko, wrestling; Samantha Brown and Kevin Brown, softball; Connor Handrick, baseball; Greg Streit, track.
n Board members hired Emily Morzewski as a third grader teacher and Shanna Thorson as a first grade teacher. The board hired a number of part-time paraprofessionals: Jen Olmsted, ELL; Sara Farber, elementary school; and Patty Kohel, elementary school. Board members also hired Barb Rauen as a part-time food service worker.
n It was reported that Marathon County special education has hired Ariel Riedel as a high school teacher and Sommer Baeseman as a part-time paraprofessional for Edgar Public Schools.
n Administrator Guden said the district continues to search for a business education teacher. Twelve people applied for the position with three being certified. Of the three, a job was offered to one candidate but was declined. Guden said the district will take its time to fill what is considered an important position. The new teacher, she said, will be paid for with an approved referendum.
n Board members approved a health insurance contract with UMR. The contract includes a seven percent increase in premiums.
District administrator Guden said she felt “pretty lucky” to get by with single digit health insurance premium increases when some regional school districts face 24 and 18 percent jumps in premiums.
