El Camino Real Charter High School
Minutes
Special Board Meeting
Date and Time
Thursday November 5, 2020 at 4:00 PM
Location
Virtual Meeting - Please See Below
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
For board meeting materials, please go to the school's main office, or call (818) 595-7500. Some board meeting materials are also posted on the school's website (https://ecrchs.net - click the ECR Board tab).
VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING
In accordance with Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-29-20, the meeting of the Board of Directors will take place via a virtual/teleconferencing environment.
To join the virtual Board meeting, please register through GoToWebinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2654539239020666381, webinar ID 466-583-379. You must register for the event (note you do not need to enter your legal name to participate). Once registered, you can attend the meeting through the online link, or by telephone (a call-in number and audio PIN will be provided after you register and prior to the meeting).
PUBLIC COMMENTS
If you would like to make a comment during the Public Comment section or during an agenda item, you may do so in two ways: (1) click the "Raise Hand" icon on the control panel; or (2) email your comment to comment@ecrchs.net and it will be read on the record. Please note: your name will be read on the record along with your comment; if you do not wish to have your name read, please indicate on your email.
Please note that, in order to conduct an orderly meeting, all members of the public will be placed on mute during the Board meeting, except during public comments. Note that for those who elect to participate through the call-in number, you will not have the option of being unmuted during the meeting.
The Public Comments agenda item is set aside for members of the audience to raise issues that are not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested item. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed thirty (30) minutes. A member of the public who requires the use of a translator, in order to receive the same opportunity as others to directly address the Board, shall have twice the allotted time to speak. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to adhere to the time limits set forth. In order to maintain allotted time limits, the Board Chair may modify speaker time allocations or the total amount of allotted time for an item.
Consent Agenda: All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be approved/enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. Unless specifically requested by a Board member for further discussion or removed from the agenda, there will be no discussion of these items prior to the Board votes on them. The Executive Director recommends approval of all consent agenda items.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, El Camino Real Alliance may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Requests for disability related modifications or accommodations shall be made 24 hours prior to the meeting to Daniel Chang, in person, by email at d.chang@ecrchs.net, or by calling (818) 595-7537.
For board meeting materials, please go to the school's main office, or call (818) 595-7500. Some board meeting materials are also posted on the school's website (https://ecrchs.net - click the ECR Board tab).
VIRTUAL BOARD MEETING
In accordance with Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-29-20, the meeting of the Board of Directors will take place via a virtual/teleconferencing environment.
To join the virtual Board meeting, please register through GoToWebinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2654539239020666381, webinar ID 466-583-379. You must register for the event (note you do not need to enter your legal name to participate). Once registered, you can attend the meeting through the online link, or by telephone (a call-in number and audio PIN will be provided after you register and prior to the meeting).
PUBLIC COMMENTS
If you would like to make a comment during the Public Comment section or during an agenda item, you may do so in two ways: (1) click the "Raise Hand" icon on the control panel; or (2) email your comment to comment@ecrchs.net and it will be read on the record. Please note: your name will be read on the record along with your comment; if you do not wish to have your name read, please indicate on your email.
Please note that, in order to conduct an orderly meeting, all members of the public will be placed on mute during the Board meeting, except during public comments. Note that for those who elect to participate through the call-in number, you will not have the option of being unmuted during the meeting.
The Public Comments agenda item is set aside for members of the audience to raise issues that are not specifically on the agenda. However, due to public meeting laws, the Board can only listen to your issue, not respond or take action. The Board may give direction to staff to respond to your concern or you may be offered the option of returning with a citizen-requested item. These presentations are limited to three (3) minutes and total time allotted to non-agenda items will not exceed thirty (30) minutes. A member of the public who requires the use of a translator, in order to receive the same opportunity as others to directly address the Board, shall have twice the allotted time to speak. When addressing the Board, speakers are requested to adhere to the time limits set forth. In order to maintain allotted time limits, the Board Chair may modify speaker time allocations or the total amount of allotted time for an item.
Consent Agenda: All matters listed under the consent agenda are considered by the Board to be routine and will be approved/enacted by the Board in one motion in the form listed below. Unless specifically requested by a Board member for further discussion or removed from the agenda, there will be no discussion of these items prior to the Board votes on them. The Executive Director recommends approval of all consent agenda items.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request, El Camino Real Alliance may furnish reasonable auxiliary aids and services to qualified individuals with disabilities. Requests for disability related modifications or accommodations shall be made 24 hours prior to the meeting to Daniel Chang, in person, by email at d.chang@ecrchs.net, or by calling (818) 595-7537.
Directors Present
Beatriz Chen (remote), John Perez (remote), Kenneth Lee (remote), Linda Ibach (remote), Scott Silverstein (remote), Steven Kofahl (remote)
Directors Absent
Brian Archibald, Jeff Davis
Directors who arrived after the meeting opened
John Perez
Guests Present
Daniel Chang (remote), David Hussey (remote), Gregory Wood (remote)
I. Opening Items
A.
Call the Meeting to Order
B.
Record Attendance and Guests
C.
Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Silverstein led the Pledge of Allegiance.
D.
Public Comments
There were no public comments.
II. School Business
A.
Discuss and Vote on Healthcare Benefits Proposals
Daniel Chang spoke on the Request for Proposal (RFP) process used to get bids from healthcare insurance providers. RFPs were sent to five providers: CharterLIFE (incumbent), Self-Insured Schools of California (SISC), Burnham Benefits, Bolton & Company, and Navali & Company. After review, the candidates were narrowed down to CharterLIFE and SISC. The proposals from each, as well as a comparison of the costs and a breakdown of the services provided and deductibles, co-pays, etc., was provided.
Greg Wood spoke about the comparison in costs and the costs-savings associated with going with SISC. Similar plans are being offered under Anthem and Kaiser. Mr. Wood stated that we wanted to make sure that the same quality of coverage was being provided, while also exploring the cost associated with going to a composite rate versus a tiered rate. Mr. Wood noted that, under CharterLIFE an employee could opt out of getting insurance and would be provided a stipend for opting out. Under SISC, new members are not allowed to opt out; however, current employees who had previously opted out will be grandfathered-in and be allowed to continue receiving the opt out stipend. SISC has a very minimal, low-cost high-deductible plan; for new employees who select this minimal plan, they would still be given a stipend.
Beth Florek-Chiang spoke on the customer service issues that our HR has had with CharterLIFE, including difficulty in communications.
Ms. Chen asked about the quality of customer service that we could get through SISC; Mr. Wood noted that he had worked with SISC when he was with Palisades High, and found their customer service to be very good.
Mr. Wood also discussed the savings associated broken down by the type of plan. Taking into consideration the loyalty credit that CharterLIFE is offering and comparing the composite plans across the board, the total savings if we switch to SISC would be $249,816 for a 9-month period. Based on this, Mr. Wood is recommending that we change our provider to SISC.
Mr. Silverstein asked if the vision plan would be the same; yes, the plan is the same. As is the same for dental.
Mr. Lee asked if this information had been provided to staff; all this information that is included in the Board packet was provided to both labor organizations this morning.
Greg Wood spoke about the comparison in costs and the costs-savings associated with going with SISC. Similar plans are being offered under Anthem and Kaiser. Mr. Wood stated that we wanted to make sure that the same quality of coverage was being provided, while also exploring the cost associated with going to a composite rate versus a tiered rate. Mr. Wood noted that, under CharterLIFE an employee could opt out of getting insurance and would be provided a stipend for opting out. Under SISC, new members are not allowed to opt out; however, current employees who had previously opted out will be grandfathered-in and be allowed to continue receiving the opt out stipend. SISC has a very minimal, low-cost high-deductible plan; for new employees who select this minimal plan, they would still be given a stipend.
Beth Florek-Chiang spoke on the customer service issues that our HR has had with CharterLIFE, including difficulty in communications.
Ms. Chen asked about the quality of customer service that we could get through SISC; Mr. Wood noted that he had worked with SISC when he was with Palisades High, and found their customer service to be very good.
Mr. Wood also discussed the savings associated broken down by the type of plan. Taking into consideration the loyalty credit that CharterLIFE is offering and comparing the composite plans across the board, the total savings if we switch to SISC would be $249,816 for a 9-month period. Based on this, Mr. Wood is recommending that we change our provider to SISC.
Mr. Silverstein asked if the vision plan would be the same; yes, the plan is the same. As is the same for dental.
Mr. Lee asked if this information had been provided to staff; all this information that is included in the Board packet was provided to both labor organizations this morning.
John Perez arrived.
Linda Ibach made a motion to change the healthcare plan provider to SISC starting January 1, 2021.
Kenneth Lee seconded the motion.
The board VOTED to approve the motion.
| Roll Call | |
|---|---|
| Kenneth Lee |
Aye
|
| Brian Archibald |
Absent
|
| Scott Silverstein |
Abstain
|
| Beatriz Chen |
Aye
|
| Jeff Davis |
Absent
|
| Steven Kofahl |
Aye
|
| Linda Ibach |
Aye
|
| John Perez |
Absent
|
III. Closed Session
A.
Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation
Closed session took place.
B.
Conference with Legal Counsel: Existing Litigation
Closed session took place.
C.
Conference with Legal Counsel: Anticipated Litigation
Closed session took place.
IV. Reconvene to Open Session
A.
Report on Actions Taken in Closed Session, If Any
There were no actions to report.
V. Closing Items
A.
Adjourn Meeting
Steven Kofahl made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Scott Silverstein seconded the motion.
The board VOTED unanimously to approve the motion.
There being no further business to be transacted, and upon motion duly made, seconded and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 5:48 PM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Daniel Chang