Starting the 2008-09 school year, all students in Mineral County Schools — pre-kindergarten  through grade 12 — will be covered by school-time accident insurance, which will also cover all high school athletes during sporting events at no charge to parents.
This initiative was presented to the board of education members during the regular meeting Tuesday evening, yielding a unanimous vote and much praise from members about the much-needed coverage that will be provided by Student Assurance Services out of Stillwater, Mich.
“Each year, we approve student insurance,” said Superintendent of Mineral County Schools Tilden “Skip” Hackworth. “What I’m proposing this year is a little more comprehensive. As we continue to take care of every student in the county, I’m asking that you approve the basic plan for student insurance, with the board of education providing every student in grades pre-kindergarten through grade 12 with accident insurance during the school day.”
The cost, according to Hackworth, to cover every student in the county is just $11 per student, totaling $5,225.
With the extra-curricular coverage to insure all high school athletes, that would bring the total to $12,057.50 , to be funded through carry-over monies and an operation levy that is passed by the community every five years, said Hackworth.
“Our community is such a good supporter of education,” said Hackworth. “Every five years an operation levy (not a bond) is passed and has been since the 1950’s. We’ve had sufficient funding to do something like this and have been talking about it for two years.  This year was when we started exploring that option.”
Board member Bob Shook inquired on how the insurance would cover home schooled students if they are not considered full-time students.
Hackworth stated that the insurance covers any student who enrolls at any date and it just covers “fully enrolled students in the school system.”
Board Member Terry LaRue, a former coach at Keyser High School, said he believed offering accident insurance to high school athletes and all students during school hours was a “great idea,” especially due to the fact it will eliminate mass paperwork from athletes. 
“Having been a coach, I remember trying to get my kids to fill out and turn in the insurance papers,” said LaRue. “This will do away with that. That was a nightmare.”
Assistant Superintendent Pat Mason congratulated Skip and the board for their “ground-breaking decision.”
“I really appreciate the board providing insurance for every student in the county,” said Mason. “This is a good move for the board of education.”