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New Elective Benefits Provider Chosen for School Employees

SYLVA, NC – Jackson County Public Schools is pleased to announce the selection of Mark III as the new elective benefits provider for the district’s nearly 500 fulltime employees.  Executive Director of Human Resources Dr. Kevin Bailey said Mark III was chosen because of cost savings, an A+ rating for all their products and for outstanding customer service.  “It’s a great deal for our employees and for Jackson County taxpayers,” Bailey said.

Based in Charlotte, NC, Mark III has been serving local governments and school districts as an independent insurance broker for over 40 years.  With more than 150 public sector customers, Mark III focuses on protecting employees’ finances through quality benefits and education strategies. 

Bailey said the cost savings come primarily through the elimination of fees.  “The great thing is our employees will not have to pick up those costs,” he said.  “Mark III is going to absorb the cost, so our employees are getting better rates and the school system is saving money as well.”

A high-quality benefits program is essential to the recruitment and retention of teachers and other personnel.  “We firmly believe in recruiting the best employees that we can find,” Bailey said.  “But we also believe that we take care of those employees, and we want them to have access to all of the options to make their lives as good as possible.”

Superintendent Dr. Kimberly Elliott shares Bailey’s priority of improving the quality of life for JCPS employees, and she applauded the effort to reduce the total cost of the program.

“I am truly excited that this change will bring lower costs and better coverage for employees,” Elliott said.  “It is our moral obligation to provide the best, cost effective options for our employees’ elective benefits.  We value our employees and want to ensure they have the opportunity to choose plans that have been ‘market shopped’ and vetted.”

Open enrollment for the new benefits package is scheduled for the spring.  Coverage for employees who opt into the program will take effect on July 1.

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