A $250 million hole in the state's health benefits program means insurance premiums for Georgia state employees, retirees and school personnel could rise sharply and the city schools superintendent says the system is bracing for the cost hike.
Reports indicate costs could rise by as much as 67 percent if the state makes up the recently discovered shortfall using only premium increases. (See Separate story)
Schools Supt. Merrianne Dyer said it's going to hurt teachers and school districts paying the employer share.
"It's going to mean some adjustment in our budget forecast for next year," Dr. Dyer said. "Of course nothing is easy this year. This is going to be another thing that makes it more difficult. We'll deal with it and see what it means to us."
Employees now pay about 25 percent of the cost; the state covers 75 percent. The State Health Benefit Plan insures 692,000 state workers, agency retirees and dependents, as well as school system employees.
The "Essentials" was the theme of the three-and-a-half retreat at the Frances Meadows Center.
"I hope we establish a clear goal for each or our three areas - management, instruction and learning support - and an idea of two or three strategies," Dr. Dyer said.
She said the retreat was also set up to prepare for re-accreditation early.
"Accreditation is not due until 2013-14, but we asked to go early this year and do it this December," Dyer said. "We have so many new people including myself in new positions so we thought this would be an opportunity to start together with this new wave of leadership."
Director of Instruction Jamey Moore said the essentials to him mean instruction that approaches the "whole child."
He plans to use the athletic coach approach to instruction and guidance and apply it to academics and at the retreat a new vision statement for next year emerged: "Our students will think critically, act compassionately, work meaningfully, choose wisely and live joyfully."
Moore said it expresses the idea of the "whole child."
"We want them to improve academically but we want them to be compassionate, be joyful, to be life long learners," Moore said.
Board Chairman Willie Mitchell said the retreat was about setting standards for teachers and administrators who are committed to educating children despite the recession and its impact on revenues that support those teachers and their learning programs.
"Even when you don't have the money that you need, just teach. Teach the way the kids learn and then we can get there, regardless of how the picture is," he said.
School Superintendent Dr. Merrianne Dyer said it
System Director of Instruction Jamey Moore said the essentials to him mean instruction that approaches the
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