The BHSD's "wellness center" (i.e., clinic for employees) is well on its way to becoming a reality, and our school board has found yet another way to distract themselves from their mission.
A Board of Education is supposed focus on the education of students in their district. Ours seems to focus on everything else.
Tell me, should our school district enter into the health care business? What do you think?
Don't we already have doctors and clinics in our area? Aren't some of them paying taxes to the school district and township?
Seems to me that medical care is readily available in our area. Is a taxpayer-funded "private" clinic a good idea? I don't think so, and if I was on the board of education, I would have acted to shut this issue DOWN.
Some argue that the clinic will "save money." No proof was offerred at the study session. BHSD employees already have health insurance and those with chronic health issues should be smart enough to maintain a relationship with a trusted health care provider.
The clinic will likely be housed in the former Parks and Rec building on Dublin Street, near the intersection of Telegraph and Long Lake Rds. Outfitting the clinic will cost an estimated $80,000. It will be staffed by a physician, a nurse, and a medical assistant. The clinic will be open for 24 hours a week. All services will be "free" to BHSD employees.
"Free?" What kind of health care is "free?"
The kind that taxpayers pay for.
I'd prefer that my education tax dollars be spent to benefit our 5400 students.
I'd prefer that our school board challenge our administration to address the significant achievement gap that exists in our schools, and the fact that our district's state and national rankings, along with our enrollment, have declined.
Frankly, if I was on the BHSD Board of Education, I would insist that every agenda item relate in some way to academic achievement or at least to benefit our students. (I'm on the Nov. 6 ballot for the 2-year partial term to see if I can help the school board focus on the Education of Students.)
This "wellness center" does NOT benefit our students in any way, and the plan should be dropped.
Certainly a medical clinic is a more significant and very costly proposal. It is my understanding that the BHSD is proposing a " medical clinic". Which in my opinion is a questionable, very questionable project for many reasons. This country is in the middle of potentially massive changes in health care administration and cost shifting and why anyone would venture in those waters with a medical clinic given this situation is lunacy.
Who are you accusing of bullying? I just quickly reviewed all the posts and it is difficult for me to see what you are talking about. Can you be specific? When adults use language in a public forum they are responsible for that language. For example, if you are referring to "J Arch's" comments (you seem to "reply" to that post) about Mr. Barr those characterizations are, unfortunately, demonstrably true. Mr. Barr in the past has accused people without evidence -- not only of being stupid and uninformed,etc. -- but of actual crimes. I might not use the word "ridiculous" when describing some of his inaccuracies yet I don't think that constitutes bullying. When you write in an electronic forum there is a considerable challenge. Anyone at any point can trace your words, your positions, your characterizations and so on with relative ease.
I agree with your comment about apathy and caring, it is important.
J. Wagner
That's "programs," not private medical clinics in taxpayer-paid facilities. The article talks about company-sponsored athletic teams, having a Weight-Watcher meeting "at work." I am sure that many employers provide help with general fitness, diet, smoking cessation and perhaps even addiction recovery. Such "wellness coaching" is not what's on the BHSD agenda. The BHSD is considering a $500,000+ medical clinic, open 24 hours a week, to provide basic health services for employees. The question, as I see it, is: Do we want to spend tax dollars intended for the education of our K-12 and special needs students on this clinic? Will employees want to use it? If you would prefer to send your response to my personal email, it's jdg5678@aol.com. Thanks! I'm interested in your opinion.
I am not sure that this is a good idea. If I had AIDS, (or other controversial issue) I am not sure I would tell a clinic operated by my employer. Teachers deserve privacy, and if their performance in the classroom is GOOD, shouldn't we let them deal with their health issues as they choose? (As a side note, I prefer to refer to BHSD enrollees as "students." They are here to be educated, to get smart, to reach their intellectual potential. I have "kids," and when they were young, I took them camping and threw them birthday parties. Parents have "kids," but school districts have "students.") I would love to see BHSD students be as smart, and as able, and as limitless as their talents and abilities allow. Am I dreaming? Can we do it? This would make me so proud and happy. All of our students deserve our respect and our dedication to their fulfillment and success, in whatever they choose to do. I like your comments, and agree with you. Thank you. You are correct: We are missing key information. I would like to know if our teachers WANT THIS.
Regardless, it seems there's a lot of speculation in your comment and not much fact because no one has the facts yet. We're really jumping ahead here. You do seem to have an anitpathy towards the teachers who are the lifeblood of our kids' education. I don't think anyone wants the teachers or any district employees to take advantage but your comments assume bad results. Let's wait until we really have information.
Frankly, I'm not comfortable with the concept, and would like to KNOW more. Thank you ALL for your attention to this matter. j
I received a copy of the packet distributed at the study session for the wellness center proposal. I give facts and my thoughts and opinions. Please read and respond with your thoughts. Thanks. http://bloomfield-mi.patch.com/blog_posts/wellness-center-proposal-aug-23-7-pm-doyle-center
Here's the point: I hope people will look into this and send a comment to the board. The Trustees have the authority to accept or reject this idea on behalf of the taxpayers. I am SURE they will be interested in your opinion, as it is their responsibility to act in accordance with the values of those they represent. The board has not asked for your opinion, and that is unfortunate, but you should learn about the issue and share your thoughts. Apathy about public education is dangerous. We have to CARE. It takes a community of interested people to operate a superior school district.
When I saw the word "parent" in that particular screen name, it occured to me that confidentiality might be an issue. If "mt" had said that anonymity was REQUIRED, I would understand that. In certain cases, it is essential to protect one's identity. It's ok to just say so. Papers used to print letters signed "name withheld" to protect the writer. People have all kinds of issues and problems. I'm all for protecting the vulnerable among us.
FYI, if there is no reply button, then it was a reply to another comment and you have to go to that original comment's reply button to add your response. The system will put the comments in order when you hit refresh.
I think the hair splitting going on here against Jenny is despicable. Granted she may not often deliver the message well, but the information she puts forward is valuable. How many of us would even have known about this clinic issue if she did not bring it forward? I do not think Jenny knows how to play well with others so maybe the sand box we know of as the BH school board is not the right place for her, but I do believe she truly cares about the students in our area and hope she stays involved. Now on the other hand, Marcia Robovitsky did a really nice job dissecting the packet of information on the clinic proposal. Despite staying on top of school issues for the past decade I have never heard her before. Maybe Marcia should be running for a spot on the school board. Marcia?
My sand box is at the township. Many would suggest I don't fit in there, either. I write a blog about the township: http://bloomfieldtwphappenings.blogspot.com You can find my archived blogs are on the right side column. I want the township to be better and I really do care about my community. School board is NOT what I would want to do. The frustrating part of being a watchdog is that no one likes hearing the barking. Sometimes you even need to growl to get the message out. What everyone needs to realize is that you don't shut the door or window, but open it up and see what the barking is about. Do something to correct/change/influence the situation even if it just commenting on PATCH and sharing ideas and thoughts in a constructive way.
The plan I knew of and the plan I VOTED on designated the old rec dept building land to be used for sports facilities for the new high school. The plan posted on the district website shows a baseball/softball field and a rectangular field which looks like a soccer field on the land that is/was the rec. dept. building. Right next to that is the tennis courts, which will need parking which would also be on the rec.dept. building land. You can see this on the the BHSD website at http://www.bloomfield.org/files/hs_transitionplan/bhs-120214.pdf . I reluctantly voted yes on this plan knowing it was insufficient in that sports facilities would be crammed or even missing on this new site. Now the board wants to make it worse. I would then consider the bond election fradulent
I wish our students the very best for this school year, and I hope that they are able to transition to a new school year without difficulty.
"How is the ORIGINAL new high school site plans affected, by selecting as the wellness center site, the building located behind old central administration?" Answer: BHS stated: "Based on our internal discussions and review, we would lose some green space and/or potential outdoor practice area." p. 7 Question #1-- "Is there an urgency for acting on this matter at this time?" Answer: BHS states: ".......... With many groups including BHEA, transitioning to a high deductible plan ($1250/$2500) as of November 1, 2012, URGENCY EXISTS." (capital letters were put in by me for emphasis)
I am happy to note that the board will not vote on this issue tonight, and will focus their attention on high school plan development, instead. This is a BIG project and will take lots of time and attention to minimize disruption, maximize productivity and contain costs.