JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF) – At this evening’s 6pm Campbell County Commission meeting at the courthouse, the Campbell County Board of Education is expected to request the commission pass a resolution. According to the BOE’s attorney, Dale Cantrell, the passing of the resolution will enable the BOE to bring its 120 classified employees under the same insurance plan the teachers have.

One state official told WLAF this switch should have been done years ago. However, the official said it was a “complicated issue.” The deadline to switch is Dec. 31.

According to the state, Campbell County’s BOE is not in compliance by having classified employees (teaching assistants, cafeteria workers, administrative assistants and custodians) under the county’s insurance plan and the teachers on the state insurance plan. In June, the Campbell County Finance Department was notified by the state that teachers and classified employees needed to be on the same insurance plan by January 1, 2023, according to Sharon Ridenour, BOE Chairman. The county requested a waiver and was denied the waiver on Sept. 22, prompting the sense of urgency.

Ridenour said both insurance plans, the county’s and the state’s, are comparable except for the cost. The state plan will save classified employees more than 20 percent compared to what they are currently paying, based on Ridenour’s figures. Ridenour said she understands by bringing classified employees under the state plan could save the county around $250,000 a year.

The Board of Education recently passed a resolution to make the switch. The resolution from the commission is now needed, according to Cantrell. “We just need to be able to make the switch,” said Ridenour.

At 5pm, the Airport Committee meets with the Building and Grounds Committee convening at 5:15pm followed by the commission’s regular monthly meeting at 6pm. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 10/24/2022-6AM)

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