Lake-Lehman Plans Health Trust Withdrawal to Save Money
By: Joe Holden
Updated: May 3, 2012
Lehman Township, Luzerne County- School officials at Lake-Lehman have hunted down an extra million they say is sorely needed to offset cuts to services.
The number is actually closer to $2 million, according to district figures.
At a town hall meeting Wednesday evening, Superintendent Jim Govern told a large crowd made up mostly of educators that the district would pursue plans to withdraw from a regional health trust.
McGovern said the district had essentially shopped around for better plans and reached the conclusion it would be better off insuring its staff members independently. McGovern said coverage would remain unchanged. He said the district would opt for higher premiums, but an added $900,000 in savings from leaving the trust would cover the increase.
The district's officials cited a loss in state funding and continued property tax increases as the motivation to locate all available financial resources.
While officials held off on revealing strategies, an agreement with the health trust could block Lake-Lehman's planned exit. A one-year notice is required of any district's desire to pull out.
The number is actually closer to $2 million, according to district figures.
At a town hall meeting Wednesday evening, Superintendent Jim Govern told a large crowd made up mostly of educators that the district would pursue plans to withdraw from a regional health trust.
McGovern said the district had essentially shopped around for better plans and reached the conclusion it would be better off insuring its staff members independently. McGovern said coverage would remain unchanged. He said the district would opt for higher premiums, but an added $900,000 in savings from leaving the trust would cover the increase.
The district's officials cited a loss in state funding and continued property tax increases as the motivation to locate all available financial resources.
While officials held off on revealing strategies, an agreement with the health trust could block Lake-Lehman's planned exit. A one-year notice is required of any district's desire to pull out.
