Spring 2021


The MSGIA team is currently working remotely.  Our staff’s phones are forwarded and our main phone number provides you the option to select a staff person's name.  Desk phones are forwarded to each staff member at their remote locations. Here's a guide (see right column) on which MSGIA staff members might be able to assist.


Workers' Compensation General coverage questions:
Kevin Bartsch -  
kbartsch@mtsba.org or 406.475-5069 OR Shawn Bubb -  sbubb@mtsba.org or 406.439.7958

Property and Liability General coverage questions:

Matt Komac -  mkomac@mtsba.org or 406.439.6200 OR  Shawn Bubb -  sbubb@mtsba.org or 406.439.7958

Property and Liability claim questions: Jeremey May -  jmay@mtsba.org or 406.457.4409

WC payroll reporting or premium questions: Lisa Gates lgates@mtsba.org or 406.457.4505

Workers Compensation Claim Adjusters:
Shauna Foley
: 406.457.4411
Gina Keltz: 406.457.4413
Brenda Damuth: 406.457.4412
Katy Sides: 406.449.4405

WC and Property and liability claims can easily be reported to us online at this link: https://www.msgia.org/reportclaim


MSGIA Certified School Risk Management Associates include:

Annette Satterlyasatterly@mtsba.org or 406.439.1271
Harry Cheffhcheff@mtsba.org or 406.438.3693
______________

Callers also have the option of leaving a message at our main number 406.457.4500 – messages are checked and returned periodically throughout each day.  

Changes Coming in Workers’ Compensation Coverage

By Shawn Bubb, CPA, CIC, CSRM, Director of Insurance Services

Every legislation session brings adjustments to multiple aspects of state law, and this session is no exception.  One such change in HB 283 will adjust the way that student interns working in “non-paid” learning opportunities with local businesses can be covered for workers’ compensation.  READ MORE

 

Risk Management Summer Safety Strategies

By Annette Satterly, Risk Management Associate, CPSI and Harry Cheff, Risk Management Associate, CPSI

With the school year coming to an end and summer maintenance gearing up, there are a number of projects that Districts across the state will need to tackle.  When focusing on ways to make the district and workplace safer, MSGIA invites custodial, maintenance, and grounds personnel to consider the following topics.  READ MORE

Ergonomic Tips for Summer Maintenance

By Annette Satterly, Risk Management Associate, CPSI

Yes, unfortunately, it is true. I am a packrat. I do not think I will appear in an episode of Hoarders anytime soon, but I still need to downsize. As I do with so many of my faults, I blame genetics. My parents were both educators. One was a teacher, reading specialist, principal, and superintendent, the other a counselor and teacher. Needless to say, I have great respect for educators and like to think I understand some of their idiosyncrasies. One common among many: hoarding. They may not have been born with this gene, as I was, but as soon as they receive their degree it apparently triggers something in their cellular biology. I have also found that if they teach certain subjects or grade levels, the tendency to collect and keep is even worse.  I believe that this habit to hold onto items comes from working under the weight of tight budgets, wanting the best for their students, and from the learned, earned belief that “I might need it someday.” READ MORE

 

 

Child Sexual Abuse Prevention & Identification

By Matt Komac, Assistant Director PC Pool Operations

One might think that hiring is a simple process of advertising, screening, and interviewing, followed by taking a recommendation to the board of trustees.  Though that process seems to be routine to the point of predictable and safe, it can quickly lead to problems if the district views the hiring of students in the same manner as hiring adults.  So, please know that if you are considering hiring students anytime during the school year, you can avoid problems by taking a number of relatively simple, proactive steps, including reading or reviewing the child labor laws, evaluating the kinds of work associated with jobs in questions, and, most obviously, determining the age of the applicants in your applicant pool. READ MORE

Child Labor Laws-Employing Students

By Harry Cheff, Risk Management Associate 

One might think that hiring is a simple process of advertising, screening, and interviewing, followed by taking a recommendation to the board of trustees.  Though that process seems to be routine to the point of predictable and safe, it can quickly lead to problems if the district views the hiring of students in the same manner as hiring adults.  So, please know that if you are considering hiring students anytime during the school year, you can avoid problems by taking a number of relatively simple, proactive steps, including reading or reviewing the child labor laws, evaluating the kinds of work associated with jobs in questions, and, most obviously, determining the age of the applicants in your applicant pool. READ MORE