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Board reviews Act 89 policy updates and hears proposal for specialty-medication carve-out for employee plan
Summary
The board held first readings of seven policy updates required by Act 89 (grooming/communication/training/reporting) and heard a presentation proposing a specialty-medication carve-out (OptiMed) that staff estimate could save up to roughly $600,000 annually.
At its July 20 meeting the Wauwatosa School Board reviewed first readings of seven policy updates the policy committee prepared in response to Act 89, which the board said requires districts to adopt specific staff–student communication, training and reporting policies by Sept. 1. Staff explained the package is intended to define inappropriate conduct, close reporting gaps and require training for employees and volunteers.
Officials emphasized the distinctions between ordinary, supportive interactions and conduct with intent to gain favor, and said policies sharpen the definition of grooming and boundary violations. The district plans cross-references to existing gift and volunteer policies, and human-resources staff said volunteers may be asked to complete training similar to employee training once the Department of Public Instruction publishes its module.
Separately, benefits staff presented a first reading of a proposed specialty-medication carve-out for the district’s employee health plan. Miss SalesLabsky described arrangements with a specialty provider (OptiMed) to handle infused and injected high-cost medications outside the district’s current pharmacy benefit manager (CVS Caremark). Based on past utilization, staff estimated about $300,000 in savings for the first half-year of implementation and roughly $600,000 for a full plan year, affecting about 20 prescriptions. Staff stressed the proposal excludes cancer treatments and that implementation would be staged to avoid disruptions; a final action is planned for the board’s Aug. 1 meeting with a projected Jan. 1 start if approved.
Board members asked whether other districts had used the vendor and how seamless the transitions were. Staff said their benefits consultant (USI) would oversee implementation and communications with employees and providers to minimize disruption.
The policies were presented as first readings; no final votes occurred on policy adoptions or on the medication carve-out at this meeting. Board members said they expect to return with action items in August.
