|
|
|
Independence, MO —
The Independence School District’s vision of offering a health clinic to its employees is closer to becoming a reality.
The Independence Board of Education approved funding Tuesday to renovate an area at the Ennovation Center for the clinic. The $355,830 bid was awarded to Glen Rogers Construction.
“We think this is a good opportunity for our employees,” Deputy Superintendent Dale Herl said. “It will help the district lower health costs and provide easy access to our employees.”
Construction on the health clinic will begin in about three weeks. It is expected to be open by Oct. 1. Any employee of the school district – as well as their spouses and dependents – who is on the district’s insurance plan will be able to use the clinic. The clinic is expected to save the district between $2.5 million and $5 million.
The health clinic is just the latest wellness amenity that the district has added to help employees remain healthy. Last year, the district opened the Wellness Center, which is on the bottom floor of the Independence Central Office. The wellness center is open to all employees, but comes without the high costs that are associated with gym memberships. The goal is to provide a facility and resources to help employees improve their overall health, Herl said. The Wellness Center is also open to spouses, dependents older than 18 and retirees of the Independence School District. It features strength training machines, free weights, a walking path, a variety of exercise equipment and a separate studio where classes are held each day.
A majority of the funding for the Wellness Center comes from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The district received $360,000 over a three-year period to renovate the space, purchase equipment and provide programming.
The Independence School District’s vision of offering a health clinic to its employees is closer to becoming a reality.
The Independence Board of Education approved funding Tuesday to renovate an area at the Ennovation Center for the clinic. The $355,830 bid was awarded to Glen Rogers Construction.
“We think this is a good opportunity for our employees,” Deputy Superintendent Dale Herl said. “It will help the district lower health costs and provide easy access to our employees.”
Construction on the health clinic will begin in about three weeks. It is expected to be open by Oct. 1. Any employee of the school district – as well as their spouses and dependents – who is on the district’s insurance plan will be able to use the clinic. The clinic is expected to save the district between $2.5 million and $5 million.
The health clinic is just the latest wellness amenity that the district has added to help employees remain healthy. Last year, the district opened the Wellness Center, which is on the bottom floor of the Independence Central Office. The wellness center is open to all employees, but comes without the high costs that are associated with gym memberships. The goal is to provide a facility and resources to help employees improve their overall health, Herl said. The Wellness Center is also open to spouses, dependents older than 18 and retirees of the Independence School District. It features strength training machines, free weights, a walking path, a variety of exercise equipment and a separate studio where classes are held each day.
A majority of the funding for the Wellness Center comes from Blue Cross/Blue Shield. The district received $360,000 over a three-year period to renovate the space, purchase equipment and provide programming.
