School district changes health care providers

April 05--Lucerne Valley Unified employees will have a new health care provider.

The LVUSD's governing board voted unanimously on Thursday to follow the recommendations of both the teachers and classified workers unions and change health care providers. The district formally voted to withdraw from the California Schools Employee Benefits Association (CSEBA) and, instead, accept a bid from California's Valued Trust (CVT).

The LVUSD has obtained health insurance from CSEBA since 1992, according to Kim Alonzo, the district's supervisor of payroll and risk management. CVT was established in 1984, originally as the Central Valley Schools Health & Welfare Trust. The organization has grown to 235 member districts throughout California.

"They're a really good company," said Alonzo, "a really strong company."

An added bonus, she said, is that CVT has local representation.

Voting on the issue from the Lucerne Valley Teacher's Association and the Lucerne Valley chapter of the California School Employees Association (CSEA) was "nearly unanimous" with just a few members voting against the move because of slightly higher Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) costs.

The decision to look at healthcare plan alternatives came after several years of increased premiums by CSEBA. This year's increase was 7 percent, but last year's was double that at 15 percent.

LVUSD Supt. Peter Livingston said many school districts are looking at alternatives to CSEBA. The Hesperia Unified School District, which is one of the largest in the High Desert, changed insurers two years go.

In fact, Alonzo said, nine out of 32 districts have given notice that they will be opting out of their current insurance plans.

"With the steep increases in health care more districts are looking at changing," Livingston said.

Board members who voted were board president Jim Harvey, vice-president Carmen Fox, board clerk Thomas Hagen and member Mavrick Harvey. Board member Tom Courtney was not present at the special meeting held at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The timing for Thursday's special meeting was due, in part, to a CSEBA bylaw that requires participating districts adopt a resolution of withdrawal no later than 90 days prior end of the current plan year, which is June 30.

Peter Day can be reached by email at [email protected].

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