Fall 2019

MSGIA - School Safety at the Forefront

By Shawn Bubb, MSGIA Director of Insurance Operations

At a time when violent acts have become a heightened concern for school boards and school administrators, the MSGIA continues to reshape industry expectations when it comes to providing the most comprehensive school safety services for our workers’ compensation pool members.  And please know that in the coming year the MSGIA is doubly committed to continuing to provide around-the-clock social media monitoring for potential violent posts that have the potential to impact our WC pool members. Read more

The Partial Exemption No Longer Exists

By Annette Satterly, Certified School Risk Manager

For many years, the Department of Labor and Industry (DOLI) allowed a partial exemption to schools for filling out the MT 300 log. This meant that most districts did not have to fill out the form. However, that exemption no longer exists. So, please be advised that DOLI will be asking for copies of the report when they visit the schools. The MT 300 log is another form of tracking accident trending in the schools. Each building is required to have its own form (and it is best practice for the administration to have copies of every form and a total). Read more

Cyber Liability - Risk Management Best Practices for Montana's Public Schools

By Matt Komac, MSGIA Assistant Director for Property & Liability Pool Operations and Harry Cheff, Certified School Risk Manager

The hacking community has increased their focus on public entities that typically hold sensitive data and that lack the necessary resources needed to invest in cyber security.  As a case in point, August 2019 it was reported that the computer systems for 23 small Texas towns had been hacked, seized, and held for ransom in a widespread, coordinated cyber-attack.  To be sure, this is the type of event we wish to help prevent in our K-12 public schools in Montana. Read more

Weight Room Safety and Open Gym

By Matt Komac, MSGIA Assistant Director for Property & Liability Pool Operations and Harry Cheff, Certified School Risk Manager

How many times have you entered a school building and discovered students and community people utilizing the facility?  The question many often ask in these instances is, “How did they get into the building?”  Where a level of concern is raised is that many times the people are in the weight room or gym.  These are areas of the school that require adult supervision when students are present.  If community members are accessing these areas, one should ask if they have permission and if they went through proper channels to obtain access to the building. Read more

Transportation Risk Management Best Practices

By Matt Komac, MSGIA Assistant Director for Property & Liability Pool Operations and Harry Cheff, Certified School Risk Manager

Although somewhere between four to six school-age children die each year on school transportation vehicles, that number represents less than one percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide.  In fact, students are 70 times more likely to get to school safely when taking a bus instead of a car.   Most importantly, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the school bus is the safest vehicle on the road, and children are much safer taking a bus to and from school than traveling by car. Read more

Injury Prevention for Paraprofessionals

By Kevin Bartsch, MSGIA Assistant Director Workers' Compensation Pool Operations and Harry Cheff, Certified School Risk Manager

Paraprofessionals have become a key player in many aspects of a school.  Paras commonly provide instructional assistance to students in a range of academic settings, including but not limited to Title I, Special Education, and in the traditional classroom. In these capacities, Paras supervise students on the playground, in the lunchroom, concerts, field trips, etc.  This range of demands and responsibilities on paraprofessionals increases the likelihood of injuries, many of which can be prevented with thoughtful planning. Read more

Food Service Safety Tips

By Annette Satterly, Certified School Risk Manager

I love to work with the food service employees! It allows me to combine two of my great passions—

safety and eating. You are experts when it comes to food and food preparation safety, but sometimes you are so busy feeding others that you forget to remember your own safety. I need all of you to be healthy and on the job, so that I and others may purchase lunch and breakfast while in the area. To help with that endeavor, I have listed some of the following safety tips: Read more