N-O-W School District continues nursing contact with Scenic Bluffs

By PAT MULVANEY | For the County Line

The Norwalk-Ontario-Wilton School Board approved a contract with Scenic Bluffs Community Health Centers to provide a full-time school nurse to the district for the 2022–23 school year.

Under the contract, the district will pay $95,500 for the position, which includes related administrative services offered by Scenic Bluffs.

Superintendent Travis Anderson said the cost of the contract is approximately $20,000 less than what it would cost the district to hire its own full-time nurse. That’s assuming it could get a candidate to apply given the nursing shortage, he added. 

The board also approved renewing the employee group health insurance plan with WPS Health Insurance. Anderson said WPS initially quoted a 7.04% rate hike, but the district renegotiated, settling on a 4.5% increase.

According to Anderson, this is the first rate increase the district has had in the past two years. He said some school districts are seeing between 7% and 25% hikes in insurance rates. One of the quotes the district received was for a 23% increase, which would have had a $300,000 impact on the budget. Five companies declined to even offer a quote.

The new plan is identical to the current plan and includes the same deductibles, along with the option of either Gundersen or Mayo as the healthcare provider.

“We feel like we’re in a really good place with the increase this year to remain with the same coverage for everybody,” said Anderson.

The total renewal rate will be around $1.67 million, but the figure could vary depending on the number of employees who take the insurance and the type of plan they choose.

Other business

• Anderson informed the board the school will be participating in the “Get Kids Ahead Initiative,” a grant program that focuses on student mental health. The school received an $18,150 grant for the 2022–23 school year. It is currently developing a plan for the grant funds.

• The board approved courses for the Summer Learning Program, which will begin Tuesday, July 5, and run through Thursday, July 22. Classes will be held from 8–11:45 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays and include breakfast.

• Anna Alison, who made an unsuccessful bid for a N-O-W School Board seat in the April 5 election, addressed the board during the public comment period. She thanked the County Line for holding a candidate forum, which she said was run fairly.

However, she claimed she was treated badly by a lot of people during her campaign and cited some Facebook postings critical of her.

Comments are closed.

  • Norwalk churches to host worship during Holy Week

    March 22nd, 2024
    by

    Contributed by United Methodist Church, Norwalk Please join us for worship during Holy Week at the–Norwalk and Salem United Methodist […]


    KVR art project on exhibit

    March 22nd, 2024
    by

    The Kickapoo Valley Reserve Creative Communities Canvas Project will be on exhibit at the KVR Visitor Center through Saturday, March 23.  


    Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for March 10–16

    March 22nd, 2024
    by

    Sunday, March 10: The sheriff’s office received an alarm for a property on Fortney Road in the town of Franklin. The […]


    St. Paul’s installs new pastor

    March 14th, 2024
    by

    St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wilton celebrated the installation of Pastor Karen Sparling on Feb. 25. Bishop Felix Malpica led […]


    Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for March 3–8

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    Sunday, March 3: A traffic stop was initiated on Highway 61 in Readstown. The driver was going 71 mph in 55-mph […]


  • Tomah Health to offer foot clinic March 20

    March 13th, 2024
    by

    Area residents can receive complimentary foot care at a special foot care clinic from 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, […]


    Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Feb. 25 to March 2

    March 8th, 2024
    by

    Sunday, Feb. 25: Ryan Clark of Westby was traveling south on County Highway D in the town of Clinton when he […]


    St. Paul’s in Wilton to host barbecue chicken dinner

    March 8th, 2024
    by

    The meal will consist of one-half barbecue chicken, potato salad, baked beans, dinner roll and butter. 


    Vernon County Sheriff’s Report for Feb. 18–24

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    Sunday, Feb. 18: A traffic stop was initiated on Highway 131 in the town of Kickapoo. As a result of the […]


    Kendall seeks candidates for Citizen of the Year

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    Contributed by the Kendall Lions Club The Kendall Lions Club is seeking nominations for Kendall Citizen of the Year.   This award is given annually by […]


    Royall’s Waterman awarded

    February 29th, 2024
    by

    Royall Superintendent Tom Benson (left) presents a plaque to board of education president Doug Waterman for his 20 years of […]


  • Archives