For the second year in a row, the Tacoma Public Schools could save more than $100,000 in annual insurance premium contributions due to its perfect score on the annual risk assessment survey by the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool (WSRMP). The district’s perfect score equates to a minimum of a three percent reduction in the insurance premium contribution for the 2009-10 school year, according to Ray Roberts, loss control consultant with the WSRMP.
“This year's perfect score reflects ongoing districtwide efforts to follow safe practices as recommended by the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool,” said Jeffrey Pence, district legal support/claims manager. “By following these recommended practices, the district not only realizes substantial savings on its annual premium contribution to the risk pool, it also provides a safe learning environment for its students, staff and visitors.
The WSRMP is a self-funded group of more than 75 school districts, educational service districts and school district interlocals in Washington that have joined together to prevent, control and pay for liability and property risks. The organization considers insurance coverage as only part of the solution and places more emphasis on risk control measures, such as training in liability prone areas and on-site review of facilities, policies and procedures.
The annual surveys check to ensure that members are using practices that meet the WSRMP’s emphasis on risk control measures. This recent risk assessment survey focused on reviewing four programs: property preservation and safety practices related to Career and Technical Education, transportation and science. The survey topic for 2008-09 is athletic liability.
Ray Roberts will give a presentation on the risk assessment survey to the Tacoma school board at its March 12 meeting.