1410 WIZM

In freeing school boards from bargaining with employees over anything but inflation-capped wage increases, Wisconsin lawmakers might have opened the floodgates for districts seeking to drop coverage by the state's dominant, and highly controversial, health insurance provider for teachers. And it seems folks in the West Salem School District took notice real quick.

 

Superintendent Troy Gunderson says health insurance language was written into recently signed contracts for teachers and support staff. And he claims it will save a lot of money for the district.

WEA Trust, the nonprofit company started 40 years ago by the state's largest teachers union, currently insures employees in about two-thirds of Wisconsinschool districts. The company's market dominance has dropped in recent years, although not as much as some school officials who complain about the company's costs would like.

Members of the Monroe County Board of Supervisors have received a letter from 7th Judicial District Chief Judge William Dyke, reminding them to keep progress moving on fixing faults in the third courtroom of the county courthouse. According to Board Chair Rick Irwin....it's more then a reminder letter.

Dyke means business.

 

Dyke approved a temporary third courtroom in the basement of the courthouse after the board approved a resolution in 2007, saying it is committed to providing the necessary court facilities. The third courtroom opened more than six months ago. Monroe County has three circuit court judge ships.

 

The West Salem School Board has approved contracts for 2011-12 teachers and support staff that include a wage freeze and paying a higher share of their health insurance and pension. Superintendent, Troy Gunderson says it was a relatively smooth process.

 

The adjustments will put the district in line with health insurance and pension requirements proposed in Governor Scott Walker’s budget repair bill. Employees will be required to contribute 5.5 percent of their salary toward their pensions, and 12.6 percent toward health insurance.

An alternative health insurance plan has also been included in both contracts.

They were gone in less than 90 minutes...

Tickets for the Elton John show April 19th at the La Crosse Center were sold out in one hour and 25 minutes, according to Center manager Art Fahey. Only about 150 people went to the box office in person to buy seats, and Fahey says they were given lottery numbers for a chance at tickets. He tells us it's the fastest that a single concert has sold out in the 30-year history of the downtown arena.