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Show Page 10 - August 21. 1991 Education Uintah Basin Standard Increased Costs Garner places first in contest School District adopts amended insurance plan for employees By Aldon Rachele Duchesne County School District Board of Education members approved an amended insurance plan after considerable debate with a packed crowd of employees and other concerned citizens during a monthly meeting at the Roosevelt Middle School, Thursday, August IS. According to Phil Thompson, School District Business Manager, the amended insurance plan with Blue Cross-Blu- e Shield will contain a number of increases in costs for employees. A card for prescriptions will increase from $2 to $5 for generic and from $5 to $10 for brand name drugs. Value Care, which is a preferred provider program through Blue Cross, will have members portion of doctor office visits increase from $5 to $10 and outpatient or emergency room service jump from $25 to $50. The Basic Plan will have the deductible remain the same at $50 per individual, but will increase from $100 to $150 per family. Accardi ng to Ihompson, the portion a member is responsible for involving a major illness will jump from $600 to $1000. "Duchesne District is offering to pay the basic premium and employees with Value Care or other options receiving the difference in their salary," Thompson said. During past years the Duchesne County School District had health insurance from Educators Mutual, but last year Blue Cross-Blu- e Shield was the low bidder. The bid from Blue Cross saved the District approximately $100,-00according to Board officials. Blue Cross has raised it rates substantially this year where Educators Mutual is now less expensive. However, the amended insurance plan will provide enough savings for the District to be able to remain with Blue Cross. Many in attendance at the Board Meeting questioned the adoption of the amended plan because they felt switching to 0, Educators Mutual would result in the insured not having to pay more for health care. "If we drop Blue Cross they will never bid with us, said District Board President Doug Holgate, "We dont want to lose our competitive advantage." The District doesn't want to get involved in a situation where there is only one bidder, who might be able to Bet any price because of a lack of competition. Board member David Labium told the group, Be happy there are two bidding. Insurance is killing us." However, many in the crowd stressed a return to Educators Mutual after bad experiences involving Blue Cross programs that arent accepted by all area doctors. A teacher in attendance at the Board Meeting said, "Other Districts are keeping good insurance and getting pay raises." "When rates go up over 100 percent in three years we are using our insurance more than others. Whether we need it or not we use our insurance more," said Board member Labrum." A District employee present at the meeting said, "Teachers are criticized for abusing insurance, but we are not doing that. We are just taking care of our family members who become ill." The Board stressed that some District employees havent had any problems with Blue Cross-Blu- e Shield, but others have experienced headaches concerning health insurance coverage. "We are not going to make everyone happy. WejuBt have to do something," Holgate said. He added that unless there are mqjcr problems insurance rates should be less expensive next year. Duchesne County School District Superintendent Dennis Mower stated that the Board is determined to improve the salary schedule, and that health insurance may be bid out school year prior to the 1992-9because of the increased costs in providing that service. $36-,79- $2,050,288, school food services STATE WINNER-Vcron- ica Gamer won first place in the Utah State Convention poster contest. Pictured is Phyllis Day presenting Veronica with her check for first place. Students need host families Local students chosen to attend Freedom academy for high school exchange students from Sweden, Denmark, Spain, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, Brazil, Ecuador and Turkey for the School Year 1991-9- 2 in a program sponsored by the American Intercultur-a- l Student Exchange (AISE). The students, age 15 through 17, will arrive in the United States in August 1991, attend a local high school, and return too their home countries in June 1992. Students Host families are being sought 3 School district adjusts 90-9- 1 fiscal year budget During a hearing at the Duchesne County School Board of Education Meeting, Thursday, August 15 to reopen the 1990-9- 1 Fiscal Year budget general expenditure figures were increased from $15,241,994 to $15,476,057 and general revenue from $17,270,292 to $17,527,471. The 1991-9- 2 Fiscal Year budget was also revised from $15,729,902 in revenue to $15,750,650, and genera expenditures from $15,996-,49-1 to $16,690,277. Maintenance and operation funds were revised from $11,945-,75- 7 to $12,093,317, an increase of $147,560. Other figures are: special transportation from $132,618 to $132,849, tort liability from 0 to $39,684, recreation fund from $154,311 to $154,237; debt service from $232,694 to $232,545, capital projects from $2,027,858, to Veronica Garner placed first in her division for her Poppy Poster at the Department of Utah, State convention held in St. George, Utah, June 28, 29, and 30. Phyllis Day, Poppy Poster chairman of the Duchesne American Legion Auxiliary Unit 22, presented Veronica with a premium check for first place. She received the trophy and a certificate when she placed first in the DucheBne Elementary competition. The poster she made was unavailable at the time of the picutre. Veronica is the daughter of Wayne and Tamara Garner, from Duchesne. $12,-060,2- 8. from $2,021,226 to $2,085,491, school food services from $736,173 to $782,492, trust and agency funds from $4350 to $5365. The anticipated 1991-9- 2 budget is a --$939,627 when expenses are compared to revenues, but District officials are hoping to eliminate the deficit with various adjustments. The revenue picture mainly times year. freedom-oriente- d Academy. from $745,866 to $771,437; trust and agency funds, $5,998 to $2,920. Expenditures in the maintenance and operation were increased from $11,935,568 to for an increase of $124,-67Other figures are: special transportation from $129,425 to $126,398, tort liability, $29,252; recreation fund from $128,306 to $129,268, debt service from $232-,69-4 to $232,545, capital projects isnt clear until the end ofthe fiscal Several local high school students joined students from all over Utah in a week with the Utah National Guard. The 159 students converged on Camp Williams August 3 to participate in the 30th Annual Freedom This years delegation was the largest group ever to participate in the Academy. The delegates, many of whan are this years student body officers, represent nearly every high school in the state. Through a series of seminars, lectures, panel discussions and field trips students learned three aspects of freedom: what is it, how is it protected and what life is like when freedom is lost its more than just an understanding of freedom that the delegates get out of Freedom Academy," said Lt Col. Don Sprad-lindirector ofFreedom Academy. "Freedom is an extremely large aspect of our culture, and I feel we took it beyond that aspect. It was taken to a level of high, high patriotism." "The objectives of Freedom Academy are to provide delegates an orientation in Americanism to spark an increased spirit of patriotism, and to help give a better understanding about the many aspects of the freedoms we eryoy," said Maj. Gen. John L. Matthews, Utah Adjutant general. To participate in Freedom Activities, students moved all over the area. Delegates travelled from Utah National Guard Headquarters in Draper to the Air Force Museum at Hill Air Force Base. Students received hands-oorientation on the defense of freedom Aug. 4 when they actively participated in various missions of the Guard. Rappeling and rifle firing were two highlights of the days activities. Delegates also drove engineer equipment and fired artillery weapons. The delegates received an even greater sense of freedom by learning about life without freedom. Ed Vietnam Hubbard, a prisoner-of-watold of his experiences in captivity. Delegates also travelled to the State Prison where inmates discussed why they were at the prison and what it was like to spend a part of their lives in a facility where freedom is taken away. Lt Col. Kent Cameron, a former member of the National Guard and a federal probation officer gave added insight to the prisoner's stories in a to the students. Stephen Clark, of Cannonville who attends Bryce Valley High School said, "I think we need to "I think six-ye- ar r, COUGAR COUNTRY-T- he commons area begins to take form, but work stills needs to be done before students at Union High School can invade the area to discuss classes, teachers, life in general and other items. CHOOSING YOUR INSURANCE AGENT WHAT REALLY MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN BUYING INSURANCE IS CHOOSING AN AGENT. YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR AN AGENT THAT HAS EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY. ALSO. PROFESSIONAL DESIGNATIONS SUCH AS THE C.P.C.U.. C.I.C. AND OTHER TRAINING INDICATE THIS AGENT IS COMMITTED TO THE CUENT. YOU SHOULD CHOOSE YOUR AGENT AS YOU DO ANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. VISITTHEIROFFICEANDSPEAKWITH THEM ABOUT WHATYOU EXPECT AS AN INSURANCE CONSUMER. YOU SHOULD MAKE SURE THEIR PERSONALITY IS COMPATIBLE WITH WHAT YOU EXPECT FROM YOUR AGENT. WE WELCOME YOU TO OUR OFFICE FOR A VISIT. NO NEED TO BUY SOMETHING....LETS JUST CHAT. -D1,1 EWAYNE JOHNSON C.I.C. schools." Those who were chosen to attend Freedom Academy from the Uintah Basin are: Sarah M. Anderton, Union High School, Stephanie Bingham, Altamont High School and Jason Curry, Tabiona High School. are fluent in English, have been screened by their school representatives in their home countries, have spending money and medical insurance. Host families may deduct $50 per month for income tax purposes. Families interested in host family program should call Toll Free: Sibling. Students get hands-o- n lessons in engineering g, n ' understand freedom, and, more importantly, we need to teach other kids about it to get them thinking about freedom." According to Spradling, "What we encourage the students to do is to conduct a Freedom Week with freedom assemblies in their "de-briefi- Fbur Union High School students were selected to sample life as engineering students during Engineering State week at Utah State University. Sarah Bell, Rex Todd, lisa Allred and Megan Wilson joined top high school students from Utah, Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming for a week of classroom and laboraa lot of fun-- all tory work-a- nd aimed at exposing students to the challenges and rewards of an engineering career. Bruce Bishop, dean of the College of Engineering at USU, said Engineering State organizers and sponsors hope the annual event will encourage students to consider engineering as a career since a critical shortage of engineers is expected in the next decade. Corporate and individual spon- sors donated enough to the program this year to allow more than 300 students to be invited at no cost to the V participants. Bob Davis, tween Engineering Week 1Mson sponsors ftTld the college, said the companies, engineering alumni and faculty who contributed believe it is vita to encourage young people to pursue science and engineering careers. Students were selected based on scholastic performance and written explanations of why they wished to attend Engineering State. At the conclusion of the classes and activities students earned tow 7 introductory-leve- l college engineer- ing credits. Allred received a $300 Faculty Scholarship in electrical engineering far her outstanding work during Engineering Week. She is the daughter of Earl and Carma rrr Allred. Wilson, daughter of Wes and Rebecca Wilson, received a $100 Engineering Challenge Award for No printing charge for the first 50 checks. No charge for the first 10 checks you write every month. No monthly service fees. No bank gives you a better deal. Stop in and see. We think students are in a class by themselves. MFMftfcRhDIC her work in the mechanical and aerospace engineering section. Bell, daughter of Jack and betty Bell, participated in the industrial technology and education section. Todd, son of Max and Chell Todd, participated in the mechanical and aeroepace engineering section. Boy Scouts Controversy The Utah National Parks versial Learning for life Program, Rees A. Falkner, Scout Executive, announced today. Scouting in the Utah National Parks Council, he said, will continue to be the traditional program without altering the Scout Oath and Law, or admitting homosexuals, atheists, or girls in the Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs Falkner, speaking for the local Council in Provo said the Learning for Life Program is designed tc meet the needs of disadvantaged youth in inner city metropolitan areas. He said, the program doei not fit in our Council. The new program is an optional program that local councils can use for inner city youth and in high ride neigh- borhoods. Falkner assures Scout leaders, volunteers and parents that trad: tional Scouting in our Council hai not been changed and is not ir jeopanty. Parents should know that nc changes will be made in the waj Scouting is administered in this Council, he said. s.v 'r. ..' First Secunty Bank One place to put the money Youll save on our studbitchecking. Coun- cil of the Boy Scouts of America will not implement the new contro- sr S1- . UMilr' "fa Ml Ki ) Michelle Long, daughter of Wesley D. and Connie Long has been accepted to Whos Who Among American High School Students. She is a Junior at Union High School in Roosevelt. |