Recent cost-saving measures implemented at Benjamin Logan are getting statewide attention as a featured example for other districts and communities to follow.
The local school district’s new wellness program is one of several programs statewide outlined on the new website, skinnyOhio.org.
Auditor Dave Yost announced a new web site designed “to inspire smarter, skinnier governments for the people of Ohio,” according to a correspondence to public officials across the state.
The website highlights the successes of various governmental programs that have “proven” effective in putting “cost-cutting projects into practice.”
In the pages dealing with “Benefits Management,” the featured example is “Crafting a Wellness Program at the Benjamin Logan Local School District.”
Former Ben Logan Treasurer Robert Kuehnle outlined the local project.
“For every dollar that was budgeted for healthcare, we were spending $1.03 which did not include our administrative costs,” he said.
“The district was trending in a direction where the budget could not keep pace. We had to change the trajectory of our healthcare costs by creating a wellness plan that rewarded our employees by engaging them.
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Benjamin Logan’s new wellness program is featured on the new statewide website skinnyOhio.org as a model of cost-saving innovations being implemented by various arms of government. (PHOTO | SKINNYOHIO.ORG) |
“Last year, we spent 63 cents for every dollar that was budgeted for healthcare. We also noticed a decline of 12 percent in staff absences which equates to healthier staff members.
“Even more gratifying than the cost savings,” he continued, “is the fact that, as a result of a health screening under our program, one employee discovered a serious issue for which she sought medical attention. Her doctor said that if it were not for the program, she probably would not have lived another four to five months.”
In Mr. Yost’s notice to public officials, he said, “All types of organizations can benefit from two valuable databases housed on the web site’s “See It” page. The Performance Audit Database provides searchable, real world savings recommendations identified by the Auditor of State’s performance audits.
“In the Savings Idea Center, governments and school systems can find proven examples of how similar entities have already put cost-cutting projects into practice.”
Visit skinnyOhio.org for more information.
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