Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools are planning to accept bids for pharmacy benefit managers that are expected to save the school district 35% in cost the first year.  The HSE Benefits Committee has recommended acceptance of a bid from Capital Rx for non-specialty medications and Archimedes for specialty medicines.  Five firms responded to the request for proposals and three were interviewed by the committee.  The contract with the current provider ends June 30 of this year.  Both new companies have each provided a letter of commitment, with a contract expected in 30-60 days.  This will not be ready for a school board vote in April, but possibly will receive a vote at the May meeting.

The school board Finance Committee prepared for a vote next week by the full board on a 5-year extension of the current contract with Community Health.  The pact includes nursing services, the health care clinic and sports medicine.  With the expansion in the number of sports, one trainer has been added to each high school staff.  The Community Health agreement providing behavioral health is a separate matter with a one-year extension and will be a year-to-year decision.

The Finance Committee was presented with a renewal of the Skyward contract that will feature a 3% increase in the licensing fee.  The total cost of this contract is $189,507.  Superintendent Patrick Mapes says an enhancement is coming to the Skyward system in June that feature improvements.