001[Music] Hey, [Music] hey, hey. [Music] Everybody [Music] down. [Music] Let's see where we're at. >> Okay, first uh item is the agenda approval. I'd like to make an addition to that that we introduce the honorable Dr. James Watkins, Esquire to help with the presentation of of the the metal detectors. And those those uh titles are honorary and quite temporary if you don't mind. >> Sure. >> Do we have a movement to uh uh accept the agenda? Motion >> with the amended agenda. >> With the amended >> second. >> I'll uh take a vote. All well all in favor I not. >> Okay. >> We're missing one, >> but >> still got to quote them. >> You Yes. So good. All right. First uh item on the agenda is employee health insurance. >> Good afternoon uh
002committee. Um but I have asked um Keith and Carl um from Anthem uh and Mark III to do a short presentation for you regarding our health our current health insurance and future of our health insurance and then be available for any questions that you may have regarding um any health insurance um issues. So if you want to come on up to the podium. Good afternoon committee. Excuse me. My name is Heath Thomas. I'm with Mark 3 Employee Benefits. I'm a consultant uh for Mark III and today with us we have Anthem. Uh we want to discuss today uh obviously last year we had some changes in the health insurance program both in the uh benefits themselves as well as the cost to the employees. And this year, as we're looking uh to the renewal and
003figuring out how to best uh handle that, we're looking at trying to make no changes to the benefit design and no uh changes to the employee contributions. And in order to do that, we are looking at a potential network change. So, I have an Anthem representative here to talk through that potential network change. Uh we have uh across this uh transition with other groups around the state. It has gone very well. you'll see that there are some financial savings that are available with this transition. Uh there is obviously some disruption. Uh obviously there's no uh something for nothing doesn't exist in the health insurance world. So there is some minor disruption. Uh but I think that the savings will justify that. But obviously that's why we're here to talk with the committee to get you
004all's feelings uh so that we can transition into this new renewal season. So with that, I'd like to bring up Carl with Anthem. We have a short presentation and then we'll be here for questions. >> Good afternoon. My name is Carla Fernie with Anthem and appreciate the opportunity to be here today. Um I first would like to continue to share just appreciation for uh the school board's decision to be with Anthem and as you consider your renewal um options going forward. We're certainly very appreciative of of your business. Um I also just for your awareness I live in the local area. So I uh you know I live and breathe. I'm a I've been with Anthem for 23 years and so all here uh locally. If you look to page two of the few pages
005that has been um shared um there is um the network provider network that you are using now your employees are using now is our PO network. It is the largest provider network in the state of Virginia as well as in the country across the United States. The network change that Heath or option that Heath referenced was specific only to Virginia providers. Uh that is the alternative network we have is Healthkeepers. So again, just only in Virginia. the provider network outside of Virginia that your employees have now will not change if you choose to move forward uh with the alternative network. It is only in Virginia. Healthkeepers while it has been a very long-standing alternative network for us uh throughout uh Virginia for many many years uh from a a pure size perspective, it is just
006it's very comparable to the PO. It is a little bit smaller. Uh however, all hospitals in Virginia are available in the health keepers uh network as well as um I think of the um it's statewide it's about 94% of all physicians whereas in our PO statewide it's about 96%. Uh as Heath referenced there are some savings opportunities for you know we know uh health care costs continue to rise uh both in our society as well as regionally as well. So there are some cost savings uh available um in our provider arrangements uh with um providers that accept health keepers. So there is an opportunity uh there to help offset future uh premium increases. I do want to point out that from a lab perspective uh currently your employees have access to LabCore and Quest as
007preferred reference labs. That will continue uh with Healthkeepers. diving into if you go to the next page. Diving into just a little bit more from a data perspective. Uh we took the providers that your employees use. Now uh this is only schools data. Uh if you'll look at the very uh first row it says there was uh 3100 if you look in the middle column total records. What that means is that or are provider locations uh of providers that your folks are seeing um that is as it is today that are PO of those 3160 providers there is a match of 98.29% or 3,16 uh providers. So it is a very strong uh match. Uh from what I see just in my everydaytoday job this is an excellent uh match. So, I would certainly have
008no qualms at all about recommending your consideration to move to Healthkeepers. You'll also, if you go down to the bottom, just from a total dollars perspective, the number even goes up even more uh to where it's almost a full 100% match from the total spend uh you have today on the medical uh side. I think again I'm open to any questions that you might have, but again would strongly recommend your consideration of healthers. Uh just as a context, we have had in the last uh few years other some other significant employers of size in the local area to include a large private university as well as a large manufacturing company uh that have converted to Healthkeepers as their sole provider network option with Anthem. >> What do we lose? >> What do you lose? That's
009a good question. We were having a you know earlier conversation what I see primarily is um up till now and this isn't actually good news that I'm pleased to share up till now um from a physical therapy perspective um you currently have again the PO and the primary PT providers here locally are Ortho Virginia and rehab associates historically for health uh the only uh PT provider of significance has been Ortho Virginia. However, um we are in final stages. Uh financial terms have been agreed to with rehab associates and so they would be coming into the provider network. I know your renewal date is of January 1st. Uh and so they will be in the health network by that time. So the remaining differential is primarily there's a few chiropractors that will accept PO versus um
010health versus um health keepers. And again, very few providers that may choose not to accept healthers, but largely uh it will be um you know, a very good transition. >> So, you're saying those are the only two losses? The chi reduced chiropractic practitioners and until January 1st, we don't have access to rehab associates. Well, Rehab Associates today is in your network and so with >> if we switch >> if you if you were to switch, I believe they're going to come in 101, but I have not gotten that finalized to to be able to share with you as absolute, but it will be before 1:1. >> And how quickly would the transition occur? >> I would the idea would be that it would transition at 1 during an open enrollment. We would communicate the change
011to the employees >> at 1. So this might be a moot point. Correct. Okay. It won't might be a move. It will be a moot point. >> Uh and in to Carl's point in the other few areas that are that are impacted, obviously there are a couple differences. We want to let the employees know so they can either make the decision to either find a new provider if that's applicable or they may choose to continue to see that provider outside of the scheduled arrangement of of payments. And then the the overall gist of of the why uh we would give up these things is it's about a 5% differential in a claim spend under a PO plan versus the healthers plan. So not only does that as an entity potentially provide savings long term, but
012your employees that are pro having some cost share around those negotiated rates would also benefit from that as well. >> So they will receive a benefit by not paying by paying less. >> Correct. >> They'll be paying more. I have a question. So, how far is this health from an HMO? I know they're somewhere between PU and HMO. Uh, >> years ago when health started, um, and that goes back about 40 years, it was an HMO, meaning that our providers, the only benefit outside of emergency care was through our providers. Um some years ago at least 15 to 20 years ago uh we changed that to being what we call a point of service network meaning that there is always will be out of network benefits. It's the employees are not locked into um the
013network only to uh have you know receive some type of benefit with their care because healthers is is very comprehensive. It is not a small network at all. Um it is very comprehensive across the state of Virginia. How does the business model work when we are self-funded insured, right? And you guys just channel the benefits out to the providers. >> If you because of the we have separate agreements with our providers, one for the PO and then one for health and they can choose of their own valition whether to participate in one or the other or both. And so most choose to the vast majority choose to participate in both >> because when he says 5% savings on premium so it it as you said nothing is free >> 5% of the claims downstream. So
014if you were to go in and have a $100 claim under key it likely would be in the $95 range under health keepers. >> Somebody has to eat up that cost >> that's the provider has agreed to do that >> is accepting a lower re reimbursement. >> I'll give you my example. I used to take Humera and uh you know with Abbert Labs you can have a $200 deductible, you can have a $100 deductible, you can have a $5 deductible. >> Sure. Absolutely. >> In HMO uh the patients end up eating most of the cost. So you reduce the premium but you're paying on a monthly basis when you are on this heavy duty drugs to keep you alive. >> And just to clarify, this is medical only. This does not pertain to any changes
015in your pharmacy benefit program. It is just on the medical side. >> Well, the medical side too, the doctor will not write prescriptions if the policy is not going to cover it. You know what I'm saying? >> There there's no going to be no change to cover drug, no change to the formulary. Uh and also no referrals will be needed under this plan as well. I know that's a big concern under the the current benefit. There are no referrals needed to see a specialist. That would continue under the health program. >> Let me give you another example. my wife ends up in um for labor, you know, and then the doctor is not doing a C-section. The 12 hours have gone by because the HMO is not going to approve that. >> Our our medical
016guidelines and criteria for approving care or reviewing care is exactly the same under PO versus health. There is no difference at all between clinical policy uh with respect to approving care. None. It is the same. >> So how much premium will have to lift up to keep the PO in place? Will there be a change in premiums to keep us at neutral? No red, no black, you know. >> Um uh you're talking about what our employees pay on a monthly basis. That calculation hasn't um been made available yet. That's something once we make this decision that I will calculate. Um, we were looking at about a that a recommendation of about a 6.5% increase. Because of some smart decisions the school board has made in the past, I think we're not going to have to
017increase the rates that much um and push those along to our employees. So if per chance the um school board made the decision to go with healthers then that is an additional added benefit that I I am I can't give you an exact amount right now but I do think it would help us reduce that cost that we push along to our employees. >> I'm just one last comment and then I'll shut up. To me the word keepers comes with gatekeepers you know the psychologically as a business model maybe you guys are rebranding you know when I heard Anthem keepers is like keeping anthem uh as a loss ratio of 90% instead of 95% you know what I'm talking about so keepers is a word which as an employee scares me because what are you
018going to do uh you'll keep my premium safe but I'll end up paying someplace else whether whether be physician of my choice, you know, or the end of the the how much medical bills I'll carry on my own pocket in terms of deductibles. It's just the word keepers makes me fearful. >> I I appreciate your comments. That's certainly not the intent of that branding. We'll take that back and and see if they we might make a change. But I can tell you that from a from a gatekeeper perspective on access to care for your employees right now, they can pick up the phone and they can go see a specialist, you know, at first available appointment. That will not change. So there will be no uh to your point of old HMO days where you've
019got to go to your primary care doctor, they've got to get you a referral, three weeks later you go see a specialist. That's not the way the new plan would work. >> So may I ask a question? So I I have a question. I guess my question is in terms of and and I do like Dr. Gupta. I do go right and I shared my sentiments with with Sonia already about health. I do go back to the OMO and being feeling somewhat forced in that plan. But I'm thinking about from the perspective absolutely I want to make sure we're fiscally sound, fiscally responsible, but I have to have people here that serve our kids and that work in the various departments. And so I just want just a level of clarity. There's no other change.
020I know Mr. Depal just asked that question because when we have to say this to employees and those that we want to retain and as we attract new people in and benefits are important. We may not always be in a position to raise salaries but at least you want to feel like you have quality health care. So the only differences that I believe I heard are between the two because it's saying locally targeted networks with minimal disruption for health. But then for the broad blue PO card, it's the strongest national network is that they'll have a targeted or smaller network of physicians. Correct. And if it's incorrect, it's okay. I'm just I'm asking >> it's very comparable. It's a little bit smaller. I think what would perhaps be helpful is if we go back to
021the disruption results in comparison and actually give you provider names that are currently in network for the PO versus um not being in network for health. It will be a very small list. Uh but that would give you that clarity on who exactly those providers are. >> Thank you. Because that that's just my only perspective. I just want to be sure that whatever we do, absolutely want to stay fiscally sound, but I still got to have people here to serve our kids. Absolutely. I don't want it to be something that's a big disruption for >> Understood. >> Yeah. And and I think that so the numbers that are uh in the presentation today are not reflective of rehab associates being in the network. So uh that would be when when those providers come in network,
022we are anticipating that percentage to go up because obviously those claims would then be in the network. So I wouldn't be surprised to see the percentage pushed to 99 or so percent of your claims that you're currently having now that would be in network under the claim the plan transition. So it's it's a huge majority of of claims. >> And speaking just to that data on the middle section of the data page where it says unique matches, unique records, uh 2452 being PO, 2405 being um healthers. So there is a difference of 47 now but of that 47 a portion of that is related to rehab associates which will go in network uh very shortly. So it will be a small number but again if you're to your point uh if you're if you're using
023a provider that is going out of network uh you will perceive that as a negative. I do absolutely acknowledge that. Darl, >> just a question and and I may be and I know Don's from working here a long time. Weren't we with health >> when I worked here? >> I don't recall. >> Have we Have you been our provider before? >> Not before you were a long-term Piedmont customer. Uh we would have >> then we went to Healthkeepers. >> No, Healthkeepers is Anthem. Uh Ped you Pedmont, we believe me, we would have liked to have had your business well before we got it. Uh Pedmont was >> uh but no, you were very long-term Pedmont customer. You would have not been an Anthem Healthkeepers uh customer. Okay. >> And then from from Piedmont, I believe
024you went to Anthem, but you went into the Keyare plan from a network. >> We did go to Anthem from Piedmont to Anthem, but it wasn't Healthepare. That's correct. >> That's the same network that you have today. uh we've made some various you know minor plan tweaks specifically last year and then you uh the approval of the premium increase uh but the network hasn't changed until this uh what we're proposing this year. >> Okay. What I'm hearing is that we and when we go to this if we choose to go to this that's when we'll find out what the true hit in increase in premiums to the teachers are. That's what I'm hearing. What I'm getting from this is one uh it was a Congress member, they said, "We need to pass this in order
025to find what's in it." I'm not in favor of that. I want to know the numbers before we go there. If this is going to work, we need to know the numbers before we agree to this. So, it's not like we're going to say, "Let's go do this," and then find out. I want to know the numbers before we vote to go there. Okay. >> Yes, sir. So >> I'm surprised you didn't come here with that information. >> So we we know what the potential obviously depends on what the claims impact will be in the following year to know what the exact number of savings will be. But what we are anticipating based on projections that is if the healthers network is put into place that that will generate enough potential savings that you would
026not have to increase employee costs for the 26 plan year. But if if the goal is to not implement healthers, then I would anticipate there would have to be some additional cost. And that's I think to Sonia's point was we were working that out depending on what this conversation is uh as to where you think you might want to go. Um not that it has any bearing on on what you do as an entity per se. Uh I the city is eyeing the same look from a financial perspective uh to m make this transition to this network as well because they're looking at it from a financial savings area. I get that. >> My point is when I evaluate a financial situation, I will compare my projected suggestions to their previous performance. No guarantee that
027previous performance is is going to guarantee future performance. My point to you is why don't we see the comparison of this last year? What it could have been? >> It's on slide two. Uh so on slide two, roughly right now uh the 5% savings is an approximation of about $600,000 for you as an entity. >> That's that's based on previous >> based on previous years. So if things stay the same, that would be what we anticipate the savings would be for 26 as well. >> Okay. >> And now if if if claims go up, then that percentage will will change obviously. >> I get I get it would have gone out up under the other program too. Certainly I missed that. I apologize. Thank you very much. >> Yes, sir. >> Yeah. You have anything?
028>> Yeah. Coming in on the tail end a lot of this not quite sure but you know we always want to make sure that the city's going to save money and I I don't know the formal policy what we had in terms of comparison and also the rate for teachers and all that. I would like to get a little bit more on that because I I don't know. You all have that? >> We'll get that to you. >> Yeah. If we can get that and I can see the comparison the previous policy or whatever and then see where you guys are going with this I would like to be able to support it. >> Yeah. >> Anything that helps especially the teachers. Thank you. >> I have a one final comment just for the CFO
029and the superintendent. Um you know we are not the highest paid employers in the region. As you just said rightly said benefits is one thing which is we are able to attract teachers to our unit and the question which comes to my mind is is that disruption worth you know the hit may we may get on the recruitment side. Uh and I have not heard a number and a chair may have it. How much are the savings in dollars and cents for switching to Anthem Keepers in premium? >> It's approximately $600,000 off of the claim savings for next year, assuming the stay the same. >> So, it's about $50,000 a month. Could you? >> Yeah. Okay. Maybe I'd like to have that. You said you have the information about health insurance. Was it shared through
030you or how was that information >> decision? >> So when we had this uh conversation prior, I provided the finance committee with um with the rates and the premiums and that's how we made our decision last year to do the 18.5% increase. I will say that um as they said, health insurance is continuing to rise. If we stay with our current plan, the recommendation is to increase about 6.5%. Now, it'll be up to the committee's decision whether LCS eats 6.5% or they pass some of that 6.5% along um to employees as well. If we choose this plan change, then that potential increase um uh could go away. I'm not going to say it's definitely going to go away. Um, but it could go away. It's all based on our number of claims that we have.
031>> Thank you. That that argument makes me looks like you give me from one hand, you take it out from the other hand, you know, like you feeding me a piece of bread, but it'll be a smaller size piece of bread. Uh, and um, we can have more discussion. Thank you. >> Yes, sir. >> Thank you. >> Anything else, guys? If I may make one more comment. So we are uh approaching quickly to open enrollment and during open enrollment is where we have to um provide this information to our uh our employees. So hopefully we can get you the data you need to potentially make that decision within the next month or so so that we can get those materials to provide them to our employees to make their decision on what they um who
032they choose for an open enrollment. So >> make a motion that we bring this to the board with all the information so it can be discussed. >> Yes, sir. uh I'd rather have that discussion in the finance committee before it goes to the board. So because that's the purpose of these committees is to take a deeper dive into the data. >> If I may reserve the right to call not wait a month and maybe call a special finance committee for discussion so that we can make sure we have this data in place for our employees. >> Well, my point was since we have the work session next or we will have a work session possibly sooner than that. That's the reason why I want to bring it to the full board. But if there's something
033that can be happened that can be uh achieved prior to that, that would be fine. >> Okay. I will work with these gentlemen to get you some more specific data. Okay. >> And then uh I'll provide that to you and see about um having a meeting. >> And you said 6.5%. How much did that turn into real dollars and cents for um family plan individual employee? You know, >> I I can provide that information. >> Could you mix and match move uh uh cover no increase in the employeeonly plan, but the family plan may go up a little bit? >> That Yes, sir. That's the kind of data I provided to you last year, and I'll just uh I would just put the new numbers in that that data tool and provide that to you
034as well. Just so you know, if we don't go ahead and move this to the full board for the work session and we don't get a finance committee together for that, then we have another several only have another couple weeks before we can actually start working on this. >> Today's 22nd, the next work session is on October 3rd. So, we got 12 days in between. >> Yes, sir. >> Take a deeper dive. So, there's no rush to move it to a full board. >> We have we have finance committee meeting next Tuesday. >> We don't have a board meeting next Tuesday. Is everybody available? I don't know if I'm available that time. >> I'm available. >> We have open enrollment scheduled for the end of October, early November. So, as long as we have a
035decision and and we are able to pro produce the documentation to provide to our employees by then, um, we have some time to make this decision. But I just want to make sure that, you know, we follow the proper protocols. Of course you're going to Will you have the information by next Tuesday? >> I will work with these gentlemen to to get that information for you >> once you get the information. >> Yes, sir. >> Let's see what we can do about a meeting. >> Absolutely, sir. >> Okay. Next thing, CIP. Thank you, gentlemen. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, as part of tonight's agenda, we need to address the revisions to the CIP plan. um school nutrition equipment and vehicle replacement fund. Those were line items that were initially included on the CIP
036plan. Uh however, these line items don't meet the parameters for PIGO or bond funding. Um the PIO funding that was originally allocated by the city was designated for fencing and paving projects, playground improvements, and CTE program improvements. Uh because these items don't fall into any of those categories, these projects need to be removed from the CIP plan. Uh we will be exploring other possibilities to fund these needs outside of the CIP plan and revisit these items at a later date. Uh at this time I would simply like to request a motion to approve the removal of the school nutrition equipment and vehicle replacement fund from the CIP plan noting that we will explore other avenues of funding. the savings you projected last time when that guy was here, how much of that savings will still
037be there going forward without you know remember um madam CFO you had that $200 some thousand in saving potential savings is there a still potential for some savings in that line >> um for maintenance cost you were talking about the savings um for maintenance cost >> hypothetically you replace two vehicles So, uh, those lines, the maintenance costs will drop as we renew our fleet. Absolutely. I I can't give you a specific amount until, you know, I I have the specifics of of what vehicles we're going to replace and where they're paid out of and those types of things. >> I was looking at the incremental benefit. You know, you replace one vehicle, you save 35. You do vehicles, you save that kind of thing. >> Yes. It just depends on the life of the vehicle
038and how old it is and how it's used. So, there are a lot of variables when you're determining an analysis like that. So, there's not one amount that's savings per vehicle. It depends on the vehicle's use and um and and the mileage and and those things. We could we could try to do an analysis that would give you a per vehicle savings. Um, but I I can't give you one off the top of my head right now. So >> So what you're saying is whether or not we pass this or make a motion, you're not going to be able to do it anyways, right? >> Correct. So it's it's technically a formality that we have to come before facility and finance committee to ask for approval to to do anything to this plan. U so
039I can't hit the backspace button on any of these line items without seeking approval first. We still those are the dollars that city council was supposed to bring to us, right? >> So the allocated funds that were for PIGO. So the total um the total would be $10 million. Okay. PIGO is not included in that 10 million. So it technically comes out to a total of $10,950,000. That $950,000 is the PIGO funds that was only appropriated for the paving and fencing projects, playground improvements, and CTE improvements. So, we're outside of we're outside of the parameters of that description. Um, school nutrition equipment doesn't fall into that category. Um, vehicle replacement fund doesn't fall into that category. So, we're just we're just >> Fair enough. >> Wrong wrong topic, if that makes sense. Fair enough. >>
040Yes, sir. >> That's 700,000 for envelope for EC glass and RSP appropriated few years ago. Remember that the council said that money is still sitting in different accounts and that was not part of this 10 million. So I'm assuming 10 + 900,000 pay go plus 700,000 that'll take us to about 11.6 million. Is that 700 part of the mix or not? >> Correct me if I'm wrong. that that is already included in that 10 million. >> It's already I think part of that >> it's already in the project. >> Yeah. So it's already included in the that would be included into the building envelope project RSpane Elementary School and EC Glass High School. Um but that should not be part of the 10 million. That reimbursement should be on top of 10 million based on
041this looks like it's part of 10 million. [Music] Do you want to speak to that? >> That 750 was previously uh given to given to us by the city a couple years ago for those projects. That money still remained in CIP as the EC glass and RSP building envelope project developed. We moved those funds into one pot for the EC glass RS paying building envelope. So that money is still there but in that project committed to that project which is starting. I think what he's saying is if the city said, "Hey," because you know the 700,000 was already there, right? >> And if the city is saying, "Hey, we're giving the school division 10 million." What he's saying is the school, they gave us 10 million >> for this year and that 700 would be
042in addition to that and not within that $10 million. So was that addition to or is it part of the 10 million? >> It was not part of the 10 million. It's not part of the 10 million. So it's on top of. So then that means we do have extra money. >> Based on the CIP plan, it looks like it part of 10 million. That $2.5 million cost is counted total as 10 million. >> So the the 2.5 million on that CIP plan was given to us by the city with the 10 million. That's part of the 10 million. The 750,000 that was given prior has nothing to do with the 10 million that we got this year. Perfect. So, we have extra. >> So, that number is not factored into the number that's on
043this sheet. That's correct. Okay. >> That's sitting there in a pot that we can dip into. That's the point I was making. >> Yes. >> Cuz your project right now is 10 million even with plus pay and go plus 700,000 for that 100. >> So, the the 750,000 is already committed to that project >> to the two projects that have to be removed today. >> No. to to the the building EC glass and RSP building in project >> the commitment is fine but the total cost will be still be 2.5 million for those two envelopes right so if as long as it's 2.5 million that's 700 you can use from here or you can use from here end of the day total expenditure in envelope is 2.5 am I correct in saying that >> three
044point >> no it's it's almost >> how much is >> it's five right now it's at 526 267 million. >> 2.5 million. >> That's that's just what they gave us on top of it so that we could do the project. >> The 2.5 million is already committed as well. The 2.5 million is that's bond funded. That's not that's not payo. That's not cash. When and these projects themselves, they they would not be bond funded. So the vehicle replacement plan and school nutrition equipment, they wouldn't they wouldn't fall into that category. >> Let me rephrase my question. What will be the total cost of envelope repair at EC glass in RSP? >> The total cost of the project >> of the project >> right now it's 5.267 >> 5.27 million. >> Yeah. So we are asking
0452.5 in the CIP now for these two schools, right? That mean rest of the project will be left not completed at a later date which is doesn't show up in the future years. >> No, we we already had there was already funds allocated to those projects >> for from the previous project. >> Yes, previously. If I may, there are other project numbers that we have been approved for by the city that have other funding other than this $10 million commitment. So there are other uh EC glass RSpay has their own project number with the associated amount budgeted for that that's not included in this amount. >> Could I get a clarity on numbers where the money is coming and where it's going? You know what I'm saying? I I'm just worried about that 750 till
046a week ago was not used. It's sitting there and it can be used and we were told in the joint city council school board this is a money available for you guys to use it. >> Yep. This this spreadsheet is only going to show the 10 30 and 20. That's all that's going to show. It's not going to show anything in addition. >> And I'm just trying to see if we have another 750 sitting someplace. >> Yes, sir. We do. We had a joint CIP meeting with the city um last week and we looked through those project numbers and there are other projects that are funded that are not included in this um this aotment. >> So I think what he's saying it would be good to see like expand the spreadsheet to show hey
047this is where that seven that additional 750 is going. >> We actually get a report from the city that provides all those project numbers. We'll be happy to pass along to you. >> Thank you. Okay, just one more point. Health theut nutrition program and the vehicle program are being removed. Are there dollars for those? Is that something that's in a rear someplace or in a an account someplace? I thought they were approved and I'm wondering we got to take it out of the CIP. Okay. But do we have dollars for those programs? >> So that is not something I've explored. Uh this is >> I was under the impression that that was already that it was approved. That's my impression, but it's not >> is what you're saying. >> So these types of projects cannot
048be used with the type of funding. I get it. >> So we have to somehow find money in our existing budget um to cover these types. And we're working on that. I got you. >> Um to to try to find ways to to fund these projects outside of this payo. >> My point is that I thought they were funded already. I thought they were being taken care of, but now we got to take them out because they're not correct. Is that That's correct. >> That is correct. They're not allowable within the type of money. >> Okay. We don't have the money for it. >> No, sir. Thank you. >> We're looking every day. So, >> and we still don't have it. >> No, sir. >> That's right. Thank you. Do we have any contingency reserve
049money left over on the city side? >> So we do have um a million dollars for healthc care contingency and we have a little over $400,000 for textbook sorry uh health insurance reserve fund and textbook reserve fund. Uh the contingency money was provided um in 2005 for that. Uh we currently don't have a contingency line. Uh we are we are working through um potential fund allocations to to cover some of these other experience expenses. >> So 1.4 million at the end of the year if not use is a potential source. >> Yes sir. Well, it's reserved for by city council. >> They can reallocate, >> but they can reallocate it as they see fit. Yes, sir. >> Okay. Motion's been requested. You guys want to make a motion? >> I second. >> When you guys
050No, you can't. >> I can. >> No, I'm not making the motion. I'm asking them to make the motion. You want to make it? >> I can make a motion. I'll make the motion. I'm committee member. I make the motion. >> Second motion. >> All in favor? >> I. Are those opposed? Okay. Uh, next is going to be metal detectors. >> You got a slide? >> Yes, sir. >> Oh, lord. >> I kept it simple and and it it you you really don't need to to really dig deep into the presentation, but it's there for your benefit if you'd like it. Um, so today Lynburg City Schools Administration is requesting to move forward with the process of purchasing and implementing the use of metal detectors at our high schools. Our primary goal is to approach
051this as a proactive measure to strengthen the overall safety for our students and staff. We would like to develop and communicate a clear path uh for this phase implementation at both high schools, ensure the safety and security of our staff and students and also engage families and stakeholders in the process. We do have funding available to support this phased initiative by way of leveraged contract savings. Thanks to our wonderful chief financial officer. As you can see on the slides and also the one pager provided, we have several key players in this process. I along with the help of Nick Caputo, coordinator of school safety and security will lead this work in close collaboration with our school resource officers, school security officers, and high school principles. Mr. Caputo and I will also work with our communications
052department and supervisor of communications Austin Journey to ensure families and stakeholders are fully informed throughout the process. Throughout this process, we will also assemble and utilize a committee to include voices from our families, staff, school board administrators, and other necessary stakeholders. If this committee grants approval, we will present the full plan for approval by the school board on October 7th. As noted on the key elements slide, this plan will include a variety of data, operational design, training plans, and engagement strategies. To better support the conversation tonight, we have also provided a projected timeline for the process if approved to move forward. We are aiming to begin trial implementation at the first high school in November of 2025. At this time, our team is prepared to take your questions, and if there are none, we would
053ask that the committee please make a motion to approve the item. is so this is you're just looking for permission to investigate this >> to dig into it to come up with the plan um look into costs >> grant funding >> and yeah well >> grant >> there's there's there's several avenues um grant's not one that we're looking at right now um we are looking at uh leveraged contract funds >> for this project yes >> for this project money that we already have >> Yep. Um, might this might be a good point time to get Mr. Watkins and Mr. Caputo up here to voice some comments. >> Good afternoon. >> My name is uh James Watkins. Uh, community know me as Trey. I'm the director of the good gangs uh program over at DC Glass
054where we mentor and uh cover conflict resolution skills with ninth graders. I'm also uh I've developed a fatherhood initiative um that addresses the family engagement piece um my take on the metal detectors. I know that's it can be controversial um and given things that I've seen in the community um and my experiences I I don't I'm not opposed to it. Um, however, I do think um to complete and truly address the matter, I think we need to take um a even more proactive approach. Um, the metal detectors does seem reactionary and I I know that the this committee and the school board um prioritizes the safety of the students, which is I think the number one goal and the number one priority, but I think kids bringing guns to school does not change the fact
055that kids have guns. um and whether the students are in school, it doesn't change the fact that kids are using guns outside of school, which ultimately um while whether they're in the school or whether they're home, they're still the students. And so uh I I just would have liked to have the opportunity at some point to be able to propose um an additional uh program that would address uh youth with guns and to address an initiative that would support parents as well. Um, and I thought it would be appropriate maybe to uh bring this forward as there's an Operation Ceasefire grant that closes on October the 10th. Um, both of these programs align uh with the grant funding. Our good gangs program is already funded through an operation cease uh ceasefire grant. Um, this is
056an additional grant. Um, and so essentially most of it's already written. um and we're confident in our ability to be able to turn around um a grant fairly quickly um if the uh LCS would grant us the opportunity to do so. But I would love the opportunity to present fully. Um I do think more needs to be done to address this matter. Um guns in the community and guns in school obviously are very um challenging and and it's something that needs to be addressed urgently, but I I think it needs to be addressed um in a full way um and not not just a reactionary but also a proactive way. >> Thank you. Any questions? >> So the program that you're proposing, what would be the difference between a system that the school would put
057put in play? Would you would you have physical components to a program is what I would be asking or just it's going to be a talking points type program? >> Well, our program uh is good gangs. We address and redefine what it means to be part of a game. We're not rejecting the idea of wanting to be part of a game. Frankly, we we understand that young people um desire loyalty, respect, safety, uh meaning, belonging. these are the things and the reasons that you've joined gangs and ultimately um have guns, right? Um we're not rejecting that idea and that concept, but we want to be able to fill those voids um with a good mission and things that doesn't require um someone to have a gun to feel safe. Um we work with a number
058of different tools and assessments to fill those voids by helping students understand their strengths um and understand the assets that they have in their lives on their life and the assets they don't have. Um and then we provide them with the opportunity to do career exploration things of that nature. It's a number of things I would love to get into. Um I could go all day about this program and why I believe in it um so much. I didn't start this program. I didn't found it. Um this is Dr. Carwell's Dr. Owen Carwell's vision um unfortunately passed away in May and we decided that it was um an excellent program that we needed to continue moving forward. Um we're at EC Glass and I think it would be very effective to be able to scale
059it over to Heritage High School and the grant that's currently active would give us the ability to do that as well as further explore uh parent engagement and training. I'm I'm just kind of wondering should we do both? Could both concepts benefit the kids if >> I think so something like this and then along with metal detectors? >> I think that could be the approach. >> I think his program is great and that's uh it makes sense to work them together, >> right? >> Uh metal detectives little house, you know, I'll leave that for y'all to discuss. Um I I don't have the research in front of me to know whether or not that's the appropriate approach. But um I do know that the program on the programming side, it's effective. We've seen it. I've
060worked um as the sole interviewer uh for UVA research project that was statewide. I interviewed over 50 youth about the root causes of gun violence and the solutions to it. And so I feel very confident from a program standpoint. Um but I'm not I don't feel authorized or >> okay >> um to speak on the the Metal detective. >> Well, thanks for being here. >> I mean, thanks for having me. >> Go ahead. You go ahead. >> Dr. Watkins, correct? >> Mr. Watkins. Okay. >> One day. One day. Hopefully. >> Look, I I've claimed it for you. Um, I would love an opportunity. I know I've spoken to I think it's Mr. Key about good gains. He He's stopped me a couple times about it. Um, so I'd love an opportunity to to talk about
061it and just kind of see because it's see what it's about and the programs that you're talking about and how to pair, you know, the pieces and things together. Um, so I just wanted to say I would love an opportunity just to connect and be able to talk about it because it's it's kind of hard. I don't know as much about it. I've chatted with him about it just in passing and Mrs. Reeves a few times. She's mentioned that she's a part of that group as well. So to see how those things can pair um to pair with one another and and I will say I do encourage you and anyone else who's watching because I do think it probably seems reactionary but it was one of the first questions I had when I came
062in my first conversation with Mr. Caputo was we don't have weapons detection or metal detectors, you know, being in in a more urban area and things like that and I was coming from a smaller division and so I think in light of things, yeah, it may seem reactionary, but it >> on my on my end it was one I think I talked to Caputo and I was like, "Oh, well, Dr. Coupa and it was just one of the things that were swirling. But um you know our main goal is how do we how do we partner with community partners and you're right that unfortunately we had something in the school but also we recognize what's happening in the community and how we can partner. So I just wanted to say thank you. It's my first
063time meeting you. So I just want to say thank you for sharing the information. If we can connect I'd appreciate it. >> Two things I had uh number one was last year gun in the middle school real gun. this year in high school. The reaction is legitimate because you don't want to put any kid at any time at risk. >> That could have been detected by a metal detector with probability of success is questionable, but I'll leave it for the experts to decide that. >> Having said that, the other issue is I love all these grant-f funded good projects, but how do you sustain them? You know we have seen with the experience over the years and some are not here now you funded for a couple of years we love those projects and they
064become part of the operating budget and we don't have flexibility in our budget to put in another 23 4 million into them you see what I'm saying so sustainability becomes very important and necessary but we don't have the money and they are good programs they're giving good results we are getting funding being cut by the city, by the state. You know what I'm saying? With shrinking revenue base, increasing health insurance premium, increasing cost of doing business. How do you sustain? Do you have a solution? How do you sustain that program beyond the sunset of your grant? >> I'll say I have a strategy, a strong strategy. So, um, in order to gain funding for the current grant that we have, we had to have a sustainability plan and a strategy. Um, one of those strategies
065was to develop a coalition uh for youth gun violence, which we have the 40 Ways coalition. Um, and like I said, the untimely um death of Dr. Dr. Carwell earlier this year, we've had to move slightly in a different direction with that. However, we've restructured our program with the University of Lynchburg and also with the help of um uh several schools at the University of Virginia to align our program in a way that uh gives us um the ability to fund raise um and sustain this funding moving forward. We've been able to fund this program for about four years now um by the end of July and we're currently under a desk review or um uh in or on-site review to extend the funding that we currently have at EC Glass or at through the
066University of Lynburg from the um Operation Ceasefire grant uh for another three years. But like I said, the new grant would allow us to be able to um to scale the program over to Heritage and it gives us a strong um it will give us strong data and give a strong um ability to be able to fund raise and also apply for more grants to sustain the program. >> Has it been vetted out with the superintendent's office? >> No, but the things have been moving very very quickly. Um, we've been very diligent and uh working very hard to get this program um uh to align with everything that the uh attorney general's office needed from us uh to you know when you have turnover like that and untimely uh death and we had to um
067you know just just do what we could. But we've been able to um get everything you know all the paperwork and everything going and we feel very confident. We've sustained strong relationships with the admin at EC Glass. Um, and our program is off to a good start and we're pouring more and more into it. Um, we're just looking for more support and an opportunity to be able to carry this thing out and carry it forward. >> So, with the grant that that isn't anything on our end, you all are doing the grant. You would handle those resources and then in a sense we would just be hey a partner that's receiving the grant or we provide space or something like that. So, the initial operation ceasefire grant um was uh like they set out to
068uh allow every uh the top 12 cities in the state of Virginia to have funds to be able to address gun violence due to the spike in gun violence and crime during COVID. um in this recent um round they've decided to do the grant through local um government agencies and so we would have to apply through Lynburg City Schools or the Lynburg Police Department but based on the programming that we provide it's designed to partner and work with Lynburg City Schools and so we would have to apply through uh Lynburg City Schools. However, we have a grant that's already been approved by the same office um and just recently um approved again through quarterly reports. And so, we feel confident about where we are and what we're doing and our ability to be able to
069turn the the grant around in such a um narrow window. Yeah, I would I would love for an opportunity to to sit and have a a conversation first because I I think about we'd be the fiscal agent there several things. If there's personnel that's hired because of it, what does that plan look like for y >> the long term and everything? So, I'd love to sit and connect and particularly connect with you and with Miss Jamie's and any other internal staff that that could potentially, you know, what that impact is. What does the grant look like as a whole? The the stipulations and everything. >> I fully understand all the concerns and I I would raise the same questions. I just see this as a um a blessing and a huge opportunity to be able
070to um continue to activate another program that is going to address an issue that I think um should continue to happen more and more frequently um in the schools, in the police department, in the city hall um and in the community and every church. This is a a a huge problem. I've listened to police chiefs um across the state talk about this issue extensively. Um, I've spoken with um gun violence coordinators in Rowan Oak and Richmond and all throughout the state. And it's it's um what we have in Lynchburg is is a problem, but if we don't act soon, it can be an even bigger problem that will cause um the need for even more funding. >> Could Could somebody kind of give us a background on what type of security we have right now
071in the system, if any, in the school system? >> Mr. Caputo? >> Yes. Thank you so much. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you. >> Hello. >> Um, first of all, I love what he brought forward. >> And I have a couple sayings that I like to throw out there. And, uh, one of them is you can't connect the dots unless you collect the dots. And I think he's talking about connecting the dots and then connecting them to come up with a solution. Um, I think you all know that Monday through Wednesday last week, I was in Washington DC talking to congressional leaders about school safety. The biggest thing that we were talking about was fishing upstream. Instead of being reactionary in our efforts, let's start fishing upstream. Let's look for the root of the problem.
072Mental health was a big thing we talked about. Funding obviously came up with that, too. So with what he's bringing forward and with the uh imple implementation of these metal detectors, it's a great addition to the security program. You have to think of school security as slices of Swiss cheese. Every Swiss cheese, every piece of Swiss cheese has a hole in it. But when you start to layer Swiss cheese on top of Swiss cheese, you start covering up those holes. And that's why you have to have a multi-tered layered security system. That is what we have. We have some weapon detection on a very limited scale. We have some metal detection capabilities on a limited almost archaic method of a wand. Okay. So, what we're talking about is implementing more state-of-the-art security, more up-to-date security.
073We have reactionary security methods that also act as a deterrent because they are there. You can see the school security officers. As you can see, the school resources officers, their presence is a deterrent. Just things of that nature. So, if you have specific questions, I can answer those. Um, I can go into a list of everything we have, but there is a common theme or opinion of me that I like to talk. >> So, I'll try to hold that a little bit and answer your questions directly. >> I have a couple. Yes, sir. on the operational design. My concern is um bus riders come in one place, people that kids that drive themselves come in another place, kids that ride with their parents come in another place. I'm thinking just a glass. >> It's a
074nightmare. >> There's three different maybe. And then what are we going to do to make sure that these other access points and I know um Don has been working on overall >> yes >> locking system to make sure that the person with the gun doesn't enter where there's no metal detector because I'm I'm sure we're not going to put a metal detector at every door. >> We can't financially we can't. >> Yeah, it can't. So, >> what are we going to do to make sure that these stores that don't have metal detectors are secure um to protect >> I I think I can answer that without giving away a lot of our top secret uh secrets that we have. So, AI >> just tell me that that there's a plan in place to make sure
075that the nondetected doors are secure. >> There's a plan in place. >> Okay. You don't have to get specific. It's pretty interesting, but there's a great plan in place. Know that there's a great plan in place and great methods already in place. Any comments on the what you can do to help with regards to the um metal detectors? We've had a couple incidents just recently. Based on what you know, would there be would metal detectors be a benefit? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Yes. I'm I'm in support of the metal detector um initiative if we're going to call it that. There we we definitely have to, you know, pump the brakes as far as like, you know, let's go out and buy metal detectors right away. No, not necessarily. It needs to be a collaborative
076effort. It needs to be Mr. Marshall, myself, Mr. Floyd, all involved going through the buildings and saying, "Here's our weak points. Here's our choke points. This is where it could be most effective." Then we have to bring in the principles to say how are we going to staff this technology because it doesn't stand alone. You have to staff them. And then from my point of view, former police officer, I I have a staff of former police officers. We're trained on what to do if we find a weapon. The art teacher, the violin teacher that might be helping out and this is an additional duty assignment for them. They're not trained on what to do if they what if we find a weapon and it pushes that person's position to act. That's that's something that has
077to be considered. That falls on my shoulders. That falls on me. So, there's a lot of training that goes into this. There's a lot of whatifs. There's a lot of worst case scenarios. It's every single police officer in the world operates on hypervigilance. And anybody that's been in a room with me knows I'm still all the time. I'm full of energy and I'm full of whatifs. So, like I said, pumping the brakes a little bit. We just want to explore this, come up with some strategies and move forward from there and do it with the funds that we have available to do so. There's already some ideas kicking around, but first we got to get boots on the ground and we have to take a survey and we have to have a collaboration of all
078the subject matter experts to come in and say that's a great idea, but in order to do that, we have to do this. >> Okay. Make a motion that we give them the permission to go ahead. So, but we're talking about a trial implementation in October, >> not an implementation that they're going to get the data together. >> Okay. >> That we give them permission to go ahead and start the process. >> Okay. So, we're Okay. >> And and are we saying that this is going to be totally grant funded as well? >> No, this this is paid for. >> This is paid for. Okay. I'll make a motion. >> Okay. Then you got a second and I just made it. >> Okay. Second. >> All in favor? I >> I. >> Those opposed like
079sign. >> Okay. Passes >> and hopefully after um you get a chance to meet with Mr. Watkins. We can put this on the agenda for the full board. >> Yeah. I I just want to take a look at it because of course we've had a lot of grant issues. >> Okay. All right. Board member comments is next. anything? >> I don't have much to say. I will say that I I feel like we're on a good trajectory in terms of trying to be fiscally responsible. Um trying to cut costs and analyze, you know, the budget and so on. And I'm hoping that we can stay on this trajectory so we can be effective and efficient and ultimately save the district money. I know a lot of things that we are grappling with cost money, but
080I think the committee has some degree of diligence as I can see trying to scrutinize and making sure that we are fiscally responsible. So I I appreciate that and I'm looking forward to the broader spectrum of things as we move forward how we can keep cost down money for the system. Anyone else? Okay. Informational item. The next financial finance and facilities committee meeting is Tuesday October 14th at 3:30 here and is unless we can get the data together to have a special meeting prior. Yes. >> Thank you. Okay, we're adjourned. [Music]