The Van Wert County Courthouse

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024

WBESC supt. criticizes health care plan

WBESC board news

The Western Buckeye Educational Service Center’s Governing Board discussed the state’s biennial budget legislation and also heard criticism of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) from Superintendent Brian Gerber.

Also on the agenda were a number of personnel issues, with action needed by the board.

During his report to the board, Gerber talked about what he called the “poorly conceived legislation known as Obamacare”, noting that he wrote to U.S. Senator Rob Portman, U.S. Representative Bob Latta and to President Obama and received letters back from all three politicians on the subject.

The WBESC superintendent noted that Portman and Latta, both Republicans, provided specific detail in their letters opposing the health care law, while the president provided no detail or long-range plan for the health care legislation.

In personnel action taken during the meeting, the board accepted the resignation, due to retirement, of Barbara Runyon, effective April 1, while also accepting the resignation of the following other employees: Shelly Billman, Ava Burkheimer, Karri Diehl, Travis Hammer, James Johnson, Tina Kennedy and Erin Lichty.

Also, the board adjusted contract days for the following: Sandra Freeman, 120 days; and Rebecca Mayer and Michelle Davis, 169 days each.

The board also offered a classified contract to Lora Market as an Allen County ESC paraprofessional for the 2013-2014 school year and employed Jill Welch as an administrative assistant at Thomas Edison, effective August 1, and Tillman Karl as Thomas Edison supervisor for 40 days, effective September 1.

Out-of-state travel was also authorized for Cathy Ruiz for the Parent Technical Assistance Center Conference in Milwaukee, Wis., from June 12-14.

Service contracts were also signed with the following organizations: Antwerp Local, Crestview Local, Lincolnview Local, Parc Lane Training Center, Paulding Exempted Village, Thomas Edison Center, Wayne Trace Local and Delphos City schools.

Treasurer Gary Ginter also reviewed the current financial reports with the board, which later approved the Fiscal Year 2013 and FY 2014 appropriations as presented.

The governing board also approved a service agreement for FY 2014 with the Northwest Ohio Area Computer Services Cooperative and approved an agreement with SORSA for property and liability insurance at a cost of $8,664. The agreement is to run from July 1 of this year through June 30, 2014.

The next meeting of the WBESC Governing Board will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 10, in the Van Wert ESC office.

POSTED: 06/28/13 at 6:55 am. FILED UNDER: News