School board won't include itself on insurance

A proposal to include school board members on the school district's insurance policy received a mixed response during the Tuesday meeting.

Carson City School Board President Norm Scoggin proposed the idea, saying about half the school districts in the state provide health insurance to board members.

"I think it would be appropriate if we included school board members on our policy," he told fellow trustees. "Basically, I think you're worth it."

Scoggin, who reaches his term limit at the end of the year after serving 12 years on the board, would not see the benefit if the plan were adopted.

"It's not in a selfish interest," he said.

He said he hoped it would attract quality candidates to the board and reward members for the time they put into their positions.

However, other board members expressed a discomfort with the idea.

"We're certainly not full-time employees like our teachers," said board member Jim Lemaire. "I think there are some benefits to it, I just hate to take money out of the classroom."

Board clerk Steve Reynolds said he was "reasonably uncomfortable with the proposal."

"I offered to serve on the board as a service to the community," he said. "I don't necessarily see myself as an employee of the school district."

Lemaire concluded it would cost the district about $50,000 annually to include board members.

He suggested that the option to buy into the policy could be made available to board members who would pay for the benefits. Other trustees supported the idea.

Superintendent Richard Stokes said he would look into it.

"It would require us to sit down with our carrier and change our plan," he said.

Trustee Lynette Conrad thanked Scoggin for his consideration.

"I just want to applaud you on thinking of all of us," she said. "I think it was a great gesture. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness for the board."

Also at the school board meeting:

Scoggin thanked voters for passing the 2010 rollover bond issue in the mid-term election held last week.

"The support we have is really fantastic," he said.

Scoggin, who has been involved in education in Carson City as a teacher, administrator, principal or board member since 1940, said he has only seen one bond measure fail in that time.

He also recognized members of the bond advisory committee for their work.

Trustee Lemaire thanked the community for having confidence in the school district to trust them with the fixed revenue from the tax rate over 10 years.

"It's an extra measure of faith," Lemaire said. "I assure you that over time we will continue to seek interaction with the community."

Trustee Stacie Wilke encouraged interested members of the community to get involved with the bond oversight committee.

"We could really use your help and input," she said.

Anyone interested in serving on the committee to oversee the application of bond money should call Stokes at 283-2100.