An article in today's BCCT. Morrisville School District's participation in this was discussed at the Feb. 22 School Board Business Meeting.
Million dollar idea: Something for nothing?
Posted: Wednesday, February 29, 2012 5:00 am | Updated: 8:13 am, Wed Feb 29, 2012.
Here’s a story you don’t very often — if ever — hear: School district could save nearly a million bucks ... without giving up anything.
Wow!
Doesn’t that fall in the category of “getting something for nothing”? Or maybe “too good to be true”?
Either way, the Bristol Township school board this week voted to pool its buying power with other school districts in order to purchase health insurance at a discounted rate. So far, the Bucks & Montgomery County Schools Health Care Consortium has upward of 20 interested partners. The benefit to Bristol Township, which faces a multi-million dollar budget deficit: $947,000 off next year’s health insurance tab.
Sounds like an offer you can’t refuse or shouldn’t. What makes it a relative no-brainer is that, according to district Superintendent Samuel Lee and school board President Earl Bruck, the new arrangement would not affect current coverage. All employees would keep what they have, which would make a transition smooth, pain-free and non-controversial.
The more affordable coverage would be the result of lower administrative costs, no brokerage fees and savings on stop-loss insurance, which is coverage purchased by employers that limits their exposure under self insurance medical plans.
Bottom line: big savings!
That being the case, we’re wondering why more school districts haven’t jumped into the pool. Besides Bristol Township, the only schools and districts in Lower Bucks that have shown an interest are Bristol Borough, Centennial, Neshaminy and Bucks County Technical High School. According to Superintendent Lee, the consortium needs commitments by the end of March. Districts that have not been approached or have not acted on the proposal should do so in the next few weeks.
Free money doesn’t come along that often. School officials need to act, and taxpayers should make sure they do.
In addition to saving money on insurance, Bristol Township board members also have decided to make money by allowing advertising in the schools. At one time, this was a controversial issue. Parents and education purists alike would protest loudly and in large numbers. But, perhaps due to rising school taxes and shrinking state funding, anything school officials can do to offset expenses is welcomed these days. Plus, the company seeking approval to sell its clients’ wares in district schools promised its ads would only include “positive, creative and inspiring messages” and would be “focused on health, education, nutrition and safety.”
If only the sponsors of prime time TV programs would take the same vow.
Commendations to Bristol Township school board members for their creative thinking and enterprising ways. Taxpayers in the perennially-struggling district need all the help they can get.
