Independence school board plans to keep insurance provider

Independence School District Administrator Paul Franzwa told the district’s school board that a switch to a new insurance plan last year will save money this year.

The school district switched to Exemplar, part of the First Health Network, last year. As a smaller, local company, it’s not instantly recognizable, but Franzwa said staff members have been fairly happy with it. Franzwa had received a call from a company representative, offering a two percent discount for the upcoming school year. That discount would save the district roughly $12,000.

Open enrollments into the district were approved for the 2023-2024 school year. Current students were reaffirmed, with three new students added. The new students had been previously enrolled in Independence before moving outside the district. 

Following the April election, Jen Rombalsi and Bob Guza were sworn in after being reelected. Joe Bragger was named board president; Rombalski, vice-president and Guza, treasurer. Board members also nominated Jenny Solberg as representative for the CESA 4 meeting in June and Rombalski as a delegate for the WASB state convention next January.

In other matters, board members:

• Acknowledged kindergarten teacher Jessica Brown for receiving the Early Career Educator Award from University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The award includes $500 and a $250 professional development grant. 

• Held the first reading of revisions to the student, activity, and advisor handbooks.

• Voted to keep breakfast and lunch prices stable for the 2023-2024 school year. They also noted that the new policy for meal debt had gone into practice on Monday, but made no mention of any effects.