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MSGIA - Insuring a Bright Future for Montana's Public Schools for over 30 Years!

 

Shawn Bubb, MTSBA Director of Insurance Services

 

 

MSGIA quickly gained traction with MTSBA members through its highly successful Workers Compensation Risk Retention Program (WCRRP). The Workers’ Compensation program has saved MTSBA members millions of dollars in premium and dividends paid over the years by consistently remaining below competitors' price while offering expanded value-added risk management services (such as asbestos inspections) for free that cost thousands anywhere else.  

Starting in 2002, MTSBA took over the operation of MSGIA from the Montana School Services Foundation and that partnership has been key to the continued expansion in new lines of business and enhanced services ever since.  In 2008, MSGIA launched the School Leaders Self Insurance Pool, which resulted in a substantial reduction in rates compared to those then in place among profit-based competitors.  The same ingredients that drove the success of the workers’ compensation program have continued to drive the success and expansion of the property and liability program. Self-funded, member-governed and owned and accountable to the members of MTSBA for over 30 years, MSGIA provides some of the most valuable programs to MTSBA members and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to serve MTSBA members with the best insurance programs available for public schools in Montana.

 

 

 

MSGIA Crisis Management and Social Media Monitoring Services
The MSGIA continues to provide all WC pool members with crisis management and social media monitoring services for all its WC pool members.  Since January 1, 2019, all MSGIA WC Pool members have enjoyed access to these great new member resources to help prevent violent events from occurring at your school district through an open-source social media monitoring service.  MSGIA  members also have access to one hour of Professional Crisis Risk Management services from trained crisis management responders contract through the MSGIA.   In combination with the utilization of professional crisis management services, districts need to be mindful of the importance of consultation with their legal counsel to ensure the significant legal issues that arise in the crisis situations related to students and staff of the district are handled appropriately.  The MTSBA attorneys are well-versed in assisting districts with crisis management and the legal issues that come into play.   Please contact the MSGIA with questions or further interest in these great new school safety risk management programs only available through your MSGIA WC Pool membership.

About MSGIA's Workers' Compensation Resources 
The Montana Schools Group Insurance Authority has provided a Self-Insured Workers Compensation Pool for Montana K-12 School Districts since 1989. Over the years we have developed many programs and resources for our members. 

About MSGIA's Property and Liability Resources 
The Montana Schools Group Insurance Authority has provided a Self-Insured Property and Liability Pool for Montana K-12 School Districts since 2008. We have developed many programs and resources for our members. 

Check Out Safety Resources!
In this section, you will find safety and risk management articles, links, and training programs available for the members of our programs. This is a new resource area for our members, so be sure to come back and visit often as we add content.

 


 

Congratulations to Kila Elementary for receiving the MSGIA FY22 - Gary Griffith Excellence in Workplace Safety Award
There is a phrase in the world of workers’ compensation that “Workplace safety can be like a puzzle”. Just off Highway 2, nestled in the foothills of Northwest Montana is Kila Elementary school and they know how to put together this puzzle. This elementary school is well known for its quality education as well as for being a safe and great place to work. What sets this school apart from the rest is its safety record. The staff, students, and parents work collaboratively to make Kila a safe place and welcoming environment. 

Using all the pieces of the “safety puzzle,” Kila School Community knows what it takes to work safely. They do so by embracing many of the safety strategies that MSGIA preaches. There is an active safety committee and staff receives regular safety training. With a robust winter safety plan in place, the district is ready for that first snowfall.

Safety measures are practiced in/outside. Staff utilizes MSGIA step ladders when working above the floor. Walk-off mats are in each entry. MSGIA and the District provide ice trekkers for staff monitoring playground duty as well as the student drop-off zones. Parents are invested and will communicate to the school district any safety issues that may arise with school/property/community.

The Kila Elementary mindset is “never give safety a day off” and they often say “if you don’t think it is safe, it probably isn’t. So don’t do it.”. Please join me in congratulating the FY22 Gary Griffith Excellence in Workplace Safety Winner, Kila Elementary Schools.