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Advance the discipline of risk management and build a risk intelligent public school nation.  

April 4, 2011                 Edition No. 1                    

In This Issue
Commonwealth Notes
Resources & Developments
Events Roundup
Risk Diplomat Recognition
Earhquake Ready in US
Quick Links
Corporate Partners 
To visit partners site, click on name below:
Munich RE

Arthur J. Gallagher
SchoolDude

CBIZ 

Genesis Underwriting Mgt.
Willis
Company Nurse
Target Safety
Norman Peterson & Assoc.
Selective Insurance
Core Management Resources Group

School Bus Safety Company
Pittman & Company
MicroAssist, Inc.
Bickmore Risk Services
York Risk Services Group
Hour-Zero
SafeSchools.com
DuPont Training Solutions powered by Coastal

in2vate
Machine Safety Management 


 

to learn more about the corporate partner
program  please visit
SchoolRisk.org and go to Sponsors.    
Founding 
 School Risk Groups
 
Florida School Boards Insurance Trust
 
Minnesota School Boards Insurance Trust
 
New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal
 
Schools of Ohio Risk Sharing Authority
 
Pennsylvania School Boards Association Insurance Trust


Seven other school risk groups have joined these founders.

 

SchoolRisk News 
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Founding
 School Districts

City of Atlanta, GA

 

City of Chicago, IL

  

Clark County, NV


 

City of Cleveland, OH 


 

Dekalb County, GA

 

Fairfax County, VA
 

 Francis Howell, MO
 

Fulton County, GA

 

Miami-Dade, FL

 

Rockdale County,GA

 

San Francisco USD, CA


 

Wake County, NC 


 
Other districts that are direct or associate members now number more than 2,300.

 
To find out how to join, click here!


 
SchoolRisk.org
 

 
School leaders who are members can search the directory and find districts with similar risk management interests.
 
 


 

 for access to top risk management professionals.
Reports are compiled, distributed and archived to save time and money.

 
Quick Links

Forward Progress for School Risk Management 

Board of Directors

Mike Florio,  

Dekalb County Schools, Chairman

 

Dave George,  

San Francisco USD,  

Vice Chairman

 

Joe Goncalves,  

New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal,  

Treasurer

 

Mark McKinney,  

Florida School Boards Insurance Trust,  

Secretary

 

Denise Drill,  

Minnesota School Boards Insurance Trust

 

Jill Eaton,  

Genesis Underwriting Management

 

Roy Jacobs,

Pennsylvania School Boards Insurance Trust

 

Jack Lance,  

Rockdale County Schools

 

David Massy,

Clark County Schools

 

Wayne Smith,

Consultant

 

Kevin Supple,  

Francis Howell Schools 

 


This newsletter is intended to promote exchange of information concerning management of risk in the public school arena.  Risk management is a vital means of sustaining security, stability, confidence and fiscal soundness.    
Taking Note of the Commonwealth

Member Asks, "What Is Risk Management?"

It may come as no surprise that the answer to "what is risk management?" depends on who you're talking to.  One of the simplest answers comes from Dr. George Head, while others provide more complicated explanations.    

 

The Institute conducted a survey of literature and prepared a short white paper that includes 17 of the best definitions of risk management from respected organizations and individuals, some familiar and several that are very simple and easy to remember.   

 

The following comment from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants is helpful to keep in mind:  "Each organization has its own terms for talking about risk. It is important that everyone within the organization share a common risk language since universally accepted definitions of most risk-related terms are still being formulated."   

 

It has also been said that, one of the primary reasons for a vocabulary of school risk management is to improve "risk communication." According to wikipedia, "Problems for risk communicators involve how to reach the intended audience, to make the risk comprehensible and relatable to other risks, how to pay appropriate respect to the audience's values related to the risk, how to predict the audience's response to the communication, etc.   A main goal of risk communication is to improve collective and individual decision-making."

 

Pennsylvania School Boards Insurance Trust 40 Years of Service

The distinction of being the oldest member controlled insurance-related service organization for school districts appears to belong to PSBA Insurance Trust. The Trust was formed in 1971.  In addition to celebrating longevity, members of PSBA Insurance Trust can also  see an innovative organization that has grown and successfully adapted to their needs for property, liability, workers' compensation, employee benefits, unemployment compensation, GASB 45 actuarial service, student accident and construction risk service.   More than 400 of the 603 eligible entities are involved in one or more of the programs offered.  The Trust owns and operates School Boards Insurance Company of PA and School Claims Services, Ltd.    

 

Miami-Dade Schools Risk Manager Promotes RIMS Advantage

The President of the Risk & Insurance Management Society, (RIMS),  is veteran Miami-Dade Schools risk manager, Scott Clarke.   His Welcome Letter for the May 1-5 Annual Conference  in Vancouver highlights qualities needed in the current environment: speed, flexibility, flexibility, courage, focus, and mental toughness.  The program agenda includes a presentation on "Loss Forecasting 101," featuring Scott Wightman, administrator for the Missouri United School Insurance Council.  

 

New York Schools Insurance Reciprocal Rated "A" for 15th Year

For the 330+ members of NYSIR, hearing that their organization was rated "A" by A.M. Best is nothing new.   Still, it's quite an accomplishment to maintain an "A" rating for 15 straight years.

 

***

Spotlight on Featured Contributors  

The Institute extends special thanks to everyone who has submitted articles for Risk Central.  Here are short bios on four  regular contributors.   


Bill Clayton is a risk manager for Southern California Schools Risk Management, Joint Powers Authority. His teaching and publishing roles include audiences with the ACSA and CASBO "Chief Business Officials" Academies.  Outside of his regular responsibilities, Clayton is also a faculty member for The National Alliance, teaching the Certified School Risk Manager program and is an independent leadership consultant.

 

Dennis Chandler is the director of RTW programs at Company Nurse. He has 25 years of experience in employer disability management and 18 years of experience in the development and implementation of RTW programs. Chandler has successfully implemented more than over 300 employer RTW programs. He authored the PERI study, "The Day of Injury: Controlling the Workers' Compensation Line of Scrimmage," which illustrated nurse injury triaging results.   

 

Dr. Karla Rhay is Chief Administrative Officer for Southern California Schools Risk Management JPA, where she  oversees two schools insurance joint powers authorities that provide employee benefits, property, liability, construction insurance and workers' compensation coverage to schools in the Southern California area.  Rhay has an extensive background in public school issues, is often sought for consultative services and has participated on a variety of panels and workshops.  

 

Melanie Lockwood Herman is Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center.  A prolific author of a more than a dozen comprehensive (and comprehensible!) guides on various risk management topics, Herman has delivered countless workshops, seminars, and keynote presentations for organizations simply unwilling to leave success to chance.  

 

New Featured Contributors, plus Institute Board Members 

Articles have recently been posted by these new contributors:   Robert HeywoodBecky Slaughter and Cindy Wilkerson.  Returning contributors include Dr. Herb Appenzeller and Paul Timm.  The new "On the Hot Seat" series, that spotlights members of the Institute board of directors, included recent contributions from Jill Eaton and  Denise Drill. 

 

Special Thanks to Risk Central's Content Master   

Rich Miron started working with TargetSafety in April 2010. Before joining the PreventionLink Team, Rich worked as a journalist for several publications, including The Camp Pendleton Scout, the North County Times and The Daily Aztec. Rich has a degree in journalism from San Diego State University.  The Institute extends sincere thanks to Rich Miron for his excellent work and commitment to Risk Central.     

 

We will introduce other Featured Contributors in our next edition.   Readers of Risk Central can respond with their comments to the views and ideas expressed by the contributors, and new contributors are welcomed to submit articles or a series of articles.  For more information, please contact the Executive Director.  

 

Resources  and Recent Developments 

Violent Incident Financial Assistance Available 

Federal  School Emergency Response to Violence (SERV) grants provide funding to school districts that have experienced a traumatic event.  The Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools has awarded more than $27 million to 87 grantees since the program begain in 2001.   On March 11, 2011,  Millard Public Schools in Omaha, Neb., was awarded almost $50,000  to assist with ongoing recovery efforts following the shooting of an assistant principal at Millard South High School. "When unfortunate events disrupt the lives of students and schools, it's vital that the learning process continue," said Kevin Jennings, assistant deputy secretary of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. "Project SERV provides districts and institutions of higher learning with resources to help respond in a timely manner."


Drug Free Workplace 

A February decision by a US District Court judge in Tennessee preserved the right of school districts in that state to conduct random drug tests for safety sensitive positions, including teachers, while establishing conditions necessary to protect the 4th amendment rights of employees and invalidating one district's drug policy.


Risk Intelligence and Risk Vocabulary Documents 

A document packet is available for anyone to view in the Institute's Resources under Helpful Links/Forward Progress. Included are:    

  • Guiding principles of a risk intelligent enterprise, as conceived by Deloitte LLP,   outlined for consideration and applicability to school districts.
  • Vocabulary of School Risk Management. used in  communicating about risk.      

Events Roundup and Look Ahead 

School Leaders Active in Public Agency Risk Management Association: Anaheim, CA   

The turnout for the  Annual Conference of PARMA  February 6-9 was strong and showed that many California school districts are staying on track with their risk management programs, despite the unfolding "fiscal emergency" facing public education in the Golden State. Staff and services providers of school California JPAs came together with district risk managers for almost three days of professional development and learning.  Alliance of Schools for Cooperative Insurance Purchasing(ASCIP) and Southern California Schools Risk Management (SCSRM) were among the 100+ exhibitors.     

 

School Risk and Safety Leaders  Visible at Texas Association of School Business Officials: Austin, TX     

Enthusiasm about risk management was also strong in Austin at the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO), Feb 28-Mar 3. Very active research committees exist within TASBO for risk management and safe schools.  Risk Management Committe chairman TIm Sanz, Frisco ISD turned over the chairman reins to Michelle Faust, Round Rock ISD.  Pat Lamb, Irving ISD handed the Safe School Committe baton to A.J. Turner, San Angeo ISD.   The committees work together on curriculum and plans for an annual academy in the Fall.    

 

Three school risk groups were exhibitors:   Texas Association of Public Schools Property & Liability Fund, Texas Association of School Boards Risk Management Fund and Texas Schools Cooperative. Several prominent claims administrators, other risk groups and commercial insurers were also among the 300+ exhibitors in TASBO's mammoth business showcase.   

 

Laura Santos-Farry, risk manager, Eanes Public Schools, was a nominee for TASBO's highest professional award and was recognized during the annual conference.  She also was a featured presenter for a session titled,  "Before You Sign That Dotted Line." 

 

 

Pool Trustees and Staff Take Part in Association of Governmental Risk Pools: Clearwater Beach, FL 

There were almost 20 school risk groups registered for the spring conference of the Association of Governmental Risk Pools in Clearwater Beach FL, Mar 13-16.  Attendees learned that Austin, TX will become the future home for the organization.  Notes and other highlights are available from the Institute's Executive Director.   


Institute Board of Directors

A conference call meeting was held March 30 by the board of directors of the Public School Risk Institute.  Highlights will be published in the next newsletter; in the meantime readers may obtain information from the Executive Director.     

 

Workers' Compensation Interest Group

Margaret Spence, a prominent consultant, speaker and author on workers' compensation issues facing employers has agreed to be the facilitator for discussions among districts and school risk leaders.   More information will be available soon.     

 

National School Boards Association and Various School Business Officials Conferences

School board members and district leaders will convene in San Francisco April 6-10 for the annual NSBA Conference.   

 

A busy schedule of school business officials conferences is also getting underway. California Association of School Business Officials gathers in Anaheim April 6-9.  The Southeastern Association of School Business Officials meets April  11-14 in Concord, NC.  

 

Texas Association of School Boards Risk Management Fund Annual Member Conference

The 1000+ members of TSBA RMF hold their annual conference April 17-19.  There are 20 one-hour breakout sessions,  a one-hour period for 20 round tables and a legislative update included  on the agenda.   

 

Sponsors Wanted for Risk Management Leader Recognition

Sponsors are wanted to help the Institute launch the School Risk Diplomat recognition program approved by the board of directors. The purpose is to honor leadership excellence and dedication to the field of school risk management as demonstrated through leadership, teaching, writing and active participation.  

 

Great Shakeout Coming to Central U.S.

Earthquake Preparedness in Schools  

Experts continue to remind schools that what they do before a big earthquake will determine what life will be like afterwards. To learn more and be a part of the largest earthquake drill in central U.S. history, go to
http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/

 

Public School Risk Institute
   
Please call or send us a note with your comments and suggestions about this newsletter and any projects you would like to see us undertake. We also want to receive school contact names, contacts with organizations you believe may want to be involved, and material for the new website resources. We hope you find the Institute's newly updated website useful.  Please visit regularly and let us know how we can support your efforts to advance risk management.  Your input and feedback is greatly desired and appreciated.

 
Sincerely,

 

Lee Gaby, Executive Director 
Public School Risk Institute  
[email protected]
Phone  (706) 715-3381 Ext. 701