Slidell Independent School District Resolution

FOR SLIDELL I.S.D.TO INITIATE THE AMENDMENT PROCESS OF THE DISTRICT OF INNOVATION PLAN PURSUANT TO TEXAS EDUCATION CODE, CHAPTER12A

WHEREAS, Pursuant to 12A.001 and 12A.007 of the Texas Education Code the Slidell I.S.D. Board of Trustees wishes to begin the process to amend the SISD current District of Innovation Plan

WHEREAS, Texas Education Code 12A.007 provides that a local innovation plan may be amended if the action is approved by a vote of the district-level committee established under Texas Education Code 11.251, or comparable committee if the district is exempt from that section, and the Board of Trustees in the same manner as required for initial adoption of a local innovation plan under Texas Education Code 12A.005;

WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees is requesting that the district level committee review a possible amendment of the District’s current District of Innovation Plan to include exemption from Texas Education Code 22.004(i) and to consider other possible amendments necessary to carry out the purpose of this Resolution;

WHEREAS, in keeping with the Slidell I.S.D. Board of Trustees’ long-standing demands for the best and greatest educational benefits of its students and its practice of supporting innovation for the benefit of both students and staff; and

WHEREAS, Texas Education Code, 12A.004 provides that the commissioner shall: maintain a list of provisions of this title from which school districts designated as districts of innovation are exempt under this chapter; notify the legislature of each provision from which districts enrolling a majority of students in this state are exempt.

WHEREAS, Texas Insurance Code Section 1579.152 provides that effective September 1, 2002, a school district with less than 500 employees may elect to participate in the program. A school district that elects to participate under this section shall apply for participation in the manner prescribed by the trustee by rule.

WHEREAS, Slidell Independent School District elected to participate in 2002.

WHEREAS, Texas Education Code 22.004(i) provides notwithstanding any other provision of this section, a district participating in the uniform group coverage program established under Chapter 1579, Insurance Code, may not make group health coverage available to its employees under this section after the date on which the program of coverages provided under Chapter 1579, Insurance Code, is implemented;

WHEREAS, Texas Education 22.004 (i) precludes the Slidell Independent School District from providing alternative group health coverage available to its employees under this section after the date on which the program of coverages provided under Chapter 1579, Insurance Code, is implemented “program” (TRS ActiveCare) established by 1579 of the Insurance Code.

WHEREAS, Texas Education Code 22.004 is not in any of the prohibited exemptions that can be included in a District of Innovation Plan pursuant to Texas Education Code 12A.004 and the list of the Commissioner’s prohibited exemptions in Texas

Administrative Code Title 19, Chapter 102, subchapter JJ, Section 102.1309.

WHEREAS, if an exemption to Texas Education Code 22.004(i) is adopted by the District Level Committee and subsequently the Board of Trustees pursuant to Texas Education Code 12A.005, Slidell Independent School District may be able to provide alternative group health coverage to its employees in addition to the health coverage made available by TRS ActiveCare without opting out of the “program” as described in 34 Texas Administrative Code 41.30(a)(4), thus, possibly giving itself the ability to provide less expensive and more beneficial healthcare coverage to its employees without violating any State statute or regulation;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Board of Trustees of the Slidell Independent School District, by adoption of this resolution, finds all of the above to be true.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT after this Resolution is signed by the Board of Trustees, the appropriate committee appointed shall develop amendments to the current District of Innovation Plan consistent with the findings contained in this resolution and with all statutes, regulations, and local board policies.

SLIDELL INDEPENDENT SCHOOLDISTRICT

Adopted the _______day of __________________, by the Board of Trustees

Tim Fletcher, President Board of Trustees

ATTEST:

Johnny Zuniga, Secretary