INDReporter

LPSB catches its head

by Patrick Flanagan

Perhaps blinded by the notion of an alleged $8 million in savings, the Lafayette Parish School Board appears to have since seen the light on how this year's selection of a group health plan provider has been handled - a process that has raised more questions than answers - and will convene a special meeting Tuesday to consider starting the process from scratch.

Photo by Robin May

LPSB President Shelton Cobb

Perhaps blinded by the notion of an alleged $8 million in savings, the Lafayette Parish School Board appears to have since seen the light on how this year's selection of a group health plan provider has been handled - a process that has raised more questions than answers - and will convene a special meeting Tuesday to consider starting the process from scratch.

At its meeting last week, the board decided to request a legal opinion on the validity of its Oct. 2 vote awarding the contract to Key Benefit Administrators. Yet, after The IND put the spotlight on the dodgy handling of the process by the board's insurance consultant Rina Tikia - click here to read that story - it appears a majority of members are now ready to dispel any doubts by starting over.

According to Tuesday's meeting agenda, the board will vote on four items, starting with a resolution introduced by Board President Shelton Cobb to consider the Oct. 2 vote awarding the contract to KBA null and void. The agenda also includes resolutions authorizing the administration to resissue a Request for Proposals, as well as a one-year contract extension with the school system's existing provider, Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Louisiana.

Tuesday's meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.