School board accepts plaque
Chris Turner was chosen Thursday as the new chairman of the Bradley County School Board, replacing Nick Lillios.
Vicki Osment Beaty is vice chairman, and Amanda Lee was chosen to the new position of chairman pro tempore.
Dianna Calfee will serve as the board's representative to the Tennessee Legislative Network.
The board delayed a decision on insurance for the schools after hearing of a new Health Savings Account plan offered by the state. Supt. Linda Cash said she had just learned of the offering and will get more details.
The board has heard from two private insurance groups touting a new limited insurance option that includes Gap Insurance. The Cleveland School Board recently went with that plan after hearing from a representative of a Franklin, Tn., firm who said it would bring savings to both the school system and the employees.
Andy Williams, a local insurance representative, was before the board on Thursday night telling the benefits of the limited plan with the gap.
He said the school employees currently have "a dream plan" that small businesses can no longer afford to offer.
Ms. Lee said she met with some 30 teachers at the Black Fox Elementary School and she said they are sold on the limited/gap plan.
Ms. Lee said of the school insurance, "I would love to have this insurance. We have a $10,000 deductible and my kids die before they go to the doctor."
The board may call a special meeting to make a decision on insurance.
The Michigan Avenue School was honored for being cited by the National PTO.
The board was honored by the state School Board Association as one of the top boards in the state.
The board approved a motion to take $831,360 from a Blue Springs School account and $168,640 from the capital outlay fund for $1 million toward the planned Lake Forest Middle School administration building.
Charlie Rose said that fulfills a request of the Bradley County Commission.
Chris Turner