Published: November 07, 2009 11:25 pm         

Vigo schools considering medical clinic

TERRE HAUTE — A Vigo County School Corp. benefits committee is recommending that the school district investigate the possibility of an onsite medical clinic as a way to reduce health care costs.

The proposal will be discussed during Monday’s 7 p.m. School Board meeting.

According to John Orr, director of human resources, “There are companies and corporations around the country that will come into a business organization and for a fee — usually an operating fee as well as a fee per employee — will set up a medical clinic” for employees covered by the organization’s insurance program.

No general fund money would be used, Orr explained. It would be funded “solely with reserve funds we have in our health insurance reserve account.”

Such a program, if it was eventually approved, would not be mandatory for school district employees.

The goal is to continue to provide quality health care, “but we’re trying to directly impact the cost of medical care,” Orr said.

Orr said the school district has employees on its health insurance plan who don’t use it. “They can’t afford to go to a doctor for minor things,” he said.

Employees who use an onsite medical clinic would save money on doctor office visits and medication, Orr said.

n Under new business, architect Steve Arnold will make a presentation related to the Booker T. Washington project on the campus of Terre Haute South Vigo High School.

The Washington and central office staffs have met on several occasions to develop plans for the new Booker T. Washington High School, which will move from its current location at 1201 S. 13th St. The goal is to have the new facility completed in time for the next school year.

The spotlight will feature Christi Fenton, Title 1 coordinator, who was elected president of the Indiana Association of School Principals. As IASP president, she provides leadership for elementary and secondary school principals throughout Indiana.