By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com

A spike in health insurance rates will change one line item of the Bucyrus school district’s budget from black to red for the fiscal year.

During Treasurer Ryan Cook’s report at Thursday’s school board meeting he noted a 38.5-percent increase in health insurance rates would net an increase of expenses of $277,000. Originally Cook had projected a surplus of $221,000 in that area for the fiscal year.

Cook explained why there was such an increase.

“Thirty-eight-and-a-half percent is extremely high for a health plan. Unfortunately we have had a rough claims experience year, and it boils down to just high utilization. Unfortunately it is one of the other items out of our control. There is just not a lot we can do to control employees’ health,” Cook said. “Fortunately we have a good plan. We are going to have some good years we are going to have some bad years. Unfortunately this turned out to be one of those bad years.”

The school board also approved the resignation of second grade teacher Lorie Hushour.

All items were approved on the Personnel Classified Staff portion on the agenda 4-0 which included the resignations of substitute custodian Ed Naveja, and assistant middle school football coach Jason Slagle. Also approved were the one-year supplemental contracts of Robert Dille as middle school assistant girls basketball coach and Scott Heinle as middle school assistant wrestling coach. Also approved was the hiring of David Smith as food service driver/building custodian.

In Superintendent Kevin Kimmel’s report, Kimmel spoke about the new items passed for the College Credit Plus Program. According to the superintendent the program starts with current 7th graders the school must provide pathways to earn college credit while in high school, and make it part of the curriculum guide. The new program is also supposed to open up career tech courses to junior high students.

Prior to adjourning the next Bucyrus school board meeting was set for 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 18. The board also set its annual organizational meeting and January 2015 meeting for 6 p.m. Jan. 12.