As we previously reported Franklin Teachers made up the majority of the audience at the July 20 school board meeting and that during Citizen Comments school board president Debbie Larson allowed Franklin teachers to comment on agenda item 9. a. Board Discussion, [health] insurance bidding process. Fear of the unknown and satisfaction with the status quo seemed to be the motivating factor behind most of the comments. After listening to several teachers, Larson assured these Franklin Teacher’s that the Board and the District would get their input in making the decision. Didn’t Governor Walker’s Act 10 do away with public sector union collective bargaining? Meeting with teachers to discuss possibly changing health insurance carriers is ridiculous and smacks of quasi-collective bargaining. For those of you working in the real world, private sector, how many times have you participated in choosing your employer’s employee health insurance program? Mrs. Larson and the school board will certainly open a Pandora’s Box if they open this process up for employee input. This matter is solely the job of the school board—NOT some hybrid-collection of teachers and school board members.
Conflict of Interest?
Debbie Larson’s school distinct website bio includes the following statement:
"Being a board member is important to me because I have dedicated my adult life to education. I am a life long learner and a teacher. (Emphasis added). I believe I bring a different perspective to the table as both an educator and a parent. With five children, one of which has graduated and four that are currently enrolled in the district, I only want a world class education for not only my children, but our entire community. This is why I work as a board member."
Consulting Firm to be Hired
During the Board’s discussion on employee health insurance, Human Resources Director, Judith Mueller reported to board members that the District will be working with The Horton Group, an employee benefits consulting firm on the employee health insurance question and expected to have a change in place by this time (July) next year.
According to its website The Horton Group began in 1971 as a single location, eight-person insurance agency in Orland Park, Illinois. Today, Horton is a large, broker that delivers complex solutions to thousands of customers. The company currently features seven offices in four states. Not only is Horton an employee benefits consulting firm, it also happens to be one of the largest, privately owned insurance brokers in the Midwest and is among the Top 60 in the U.S. How convenient.
How Much For Horton?
During the meeting school board member Janet Evans eventually pried a "ball park figure of $10,000-$20,000 out of Business Manager, Jim Milzer. Milzer added that Horton generally saved its clients five times its fee. Not one board member asked Milzer for evidence of this claim. Does the District really need to spend up to $20,000 or more taxpayers dollars with a consulting firm (who also sells health insurance), to find the best health insurance plan for its employees? I don't believe so.
What is included in a Human Resources Director’s job Description?
According to one source, compensation and benefits administration falls under the Human Resources Director’s job description. As we recently reported Franklin Public Schools’ Human Resources Director, Judith Mueller was paid $142,487 in salary and benefits in 2007, $172,036 in 2008, $182,714 in 2009 and 2010, and is scheduled for the same in 2011. The question is: Why isn’t Judith Mueller doing all the leg-work to obtain RFPs(Request for proposals) from health insurance providers, and why, according to Mueller will the process take one year to accomplish.
During the meeting new Board member Tim Nielson questioned the length of time Mueller proposed for this change, suggesting that it could be accomplished much sooner, thereby saving taxpayer dollars sooner than later.
DON'T WAIST OUR TIME OR MONEY WITH CONSULTANTS WITH "SKIN IN THE GAME."
To comment privately on this article or any other aspect of this publication CLICK HERE.