JEFFERSON TWP — A taxpayer and employee of the South Butler School District told the school board on Wednesday night that he did not approve of the health care consultant whose firm would be paid $210,000 over six years.

The board president responded that the district has saved much more using the firm over the years.

Shawn Brumbaugh told the board that he could see no benefits that Tom Zimmerman of Key Insurance and Benefit Services has provided to the school district over the previous three years to make up for the amount the firm was paid.

He said he would be asking each board member after the vote why they voted the way they did regarding Key Insurance's contract.

“I don't understand using a consultant when nothing has been reported over the last three years as to what that money was used for or what services were provided,” Brumbaugh said.

The board eventually voted 7-1 to hire Key Insurance, with board member George Zacherl dissenting.

When Brumbaugh returned to the podium at the question-and-answer session at the end of the meeting, school board President Matt Cimbala explained the board's decision to hire the firm.

Cimbala said Zimmerman has realized “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in savings for the district over the years by finding and recommending the least expensive, yet most optimum insurance plans for various employees.

“Mr. Zimmerman more than paid for his contract for all six years,” Cimbala said.

He said he called Zimmerman on Monday to ask him to provide information on a presentation Zimmerman gave one year ago that saved the district considerable money.

Cimbala said he had the information the next day.

“For me, that is one of the reasons I really like this guy and this company,” Cimbala said. “He jumps at the chance to serve us.”

District solicitor Tom Breth said Zimmerman and others from Key Insurance and its predecessor, First Niagara, have provided myriad services to the district over the years.

Among those services, Breth said, are individual meetings with administrators, making presentations during both fact-finding sessions in the district's contract impasse with teachers, working with the board to prepare for the non-binding arbitration coming up in the next two months, providing numerous reports, providing analysis of health care plans to inform the board on cost savings to the district and answering health care questions for various district employees.

“And I can't estimate the number of conference calls, emails and questions he's answered,” Breth said.

Cimbala provided a chart detailing the savings provided by Zimmerman as well.

Zimmerman did not attend the meeting on Wednesday.