TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA) -- Time on a treadmill can only be a good thing, right?
That's the idea behind a program that would put more Tupelo Public School District employees on the path to better health.
Dr. Gearl Loden actually brought forth the idea to have a program that would help our staff become healthier," Tupelo Public School District Human Resources Manager Jim Turner said.
District officials believe they could get more people to exercise by offering incentives such as a membership to the North Mississippi Health Services's Wellness Center.
"That would be very good. That would be very enticing and rewarding to do that here in our community," teacher Marrion Winders said.
Under the plan, employees who are on the district's insurance plan would be able to join the Wellness Center. They would only pay the $50 assessment fee and that's it.
District officials say money saved from a reduction in Workmen's Compensation claims opens up a revenue stream to pay for the annual $60,000 program.
"Hopefully from that they will be healthier and more productive at work and it will be a good thing to accomplish. Our mission at North Mississippi Health Services is to improve the health of our people in the region," North Mississippi Health Services Wellness Center Director Hank Boerner said.
"I think that it will cut down on absenteeism because you work out. You eat healthier. It's a whole lifestyle change working out in the morning or whenever throughout the day," teacher Gina Freemont said.
The program would be open to eligible employees, their spouses and children 13 years of age and older.
