Article Courtesy of Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram
Original Article Here
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — During Tuesday evening’s Harrison County Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Dora Stutler spoke to employees who might have been listening digitally about the new employee dental and vision insurance plan that went into effect Tuesday.
Over 3,500 people have opted into the policy. But some have made posts online stating they’d lost coverage or their coverage had changed.
“There have been a few things on Facebook we’re seeing some of it, not all accurate. And the benefits have not changed. I don’t know where that’s coming from,” Stutler said.
Some statements made online have been patently false, said Treasurer Whitni Kines.
One such statement was that Walmart does not accept VSP for vision insurance. Kines checked with representatives and confirmed that the county’s new vision plan is accepted at both Walmart and Sam’s Club.
Because vision is a new service for Bento, there has been some confusion between representatives and enrollees.
“If there’s a question about a provider, just let us know. We’ll reach out to them,” Stutler said. “I wish folks, if you’re listening, if you have a question, reach out and not go on social media with it. That’s my only request.”
Also Tuesday, board of education members approved around 30 renewed contracts, memorandums of understanding and purchase orders associated with ongoing lease agreements in a sweeping one vote motion.
These purchases, MOUs and contracts were to bring the county up to speed as the new fiscal year had just begun on July 1, officials said.
The only item which was discussed on the list of the consent items was the student transfer list.
Board member Jenny Santilli opened the discussion about a student transferring into a Harrison County school from out-of-county by saying she was under the impression the board was waiting to see what fall enrollment looked like before approving out-of-county transfers into the school.
As this was a student matter, information about the student and what school they were transferring to or from was not made public.
“State law says we have to allow the transfer. If we deny it, there’s only a few reasons why we can deny it. Number one if the grade level is full. But in high school, grade levels don’t get full,” said Attendance Director James Kirby.
The other reason an out-of-county transfer may be denied is reports of level three or level four inappropriate behaviors. Level four results in expulsion, Kirby said.
Officials did not say whether this student they were considering had such disciplinary reports.
Kirby did however say transportation to school would be on the student’s family unless they were able to bring the student to a Harrison County bus stop, in which case they could ride the bus.
Prior to the vote, board member Doug Hogue said, “Harrison County is just going to be like the Statue of Liberty, you know? Bring us your downtrodden, anybody.”