By Kristin Rover
Sun staff
West Clermont Local School District Board of Education members approved several yearly memberships during their Jan. 13 meeting.
Treasurer Alana Cropper read the requests for the new memberships including memberships for the Ohio School Board Association and Education Tax Policy Institute membership.
Cropper said the OSBA membership costs a total of $6,100 for the year.
Board member Jim Lewis asked Cropper about the membership and what it includes.
“It keeps you up to date on pending litigation,” Cropper said. “We use services for seminars and best practices. We buy workers comp through their program.”
Board member Tammy Brinkman said she feels the membership pays off.
“There is a return of investment,” Brinkman said.
Board member Steve Waldmann agreed.
Waldmann said the membership enables the district to save money on workers compensation, provides programs for safety training, lets the district use the Board Docs program, provides access to OSBA attorneys and communication, and more.
He estimated the membership saves the district several thousand dollars.
“I do not think it would be in our best interest not to participate,” Waldmann said.
Board member Mark Merchant questioned the cost of the membership.
“I am looking at savings,” Merchant said. “It all adds up. I think there are other resources available.”
Merchant said he does like that the membership saves the district on workers compensation.
After discussion, all board members approved the membership for the year.
Board members also approved membership to the Education Tax Policy Institute.
Cropper said the institute studies proposed laws that may affect the district.