Leading Together in School Risk Management
History & Background
One of the first risk groups - pools - in the U.S. for school districts was formed through the leadership of the Florida School Boards Association in 1981. Since that time, the majority of school districts in the eastern U.S. have joined groups to cooperatively manage risk. School districts in six states can participate in groups that include their local governments.
Even though participation is very good in many of the eastern states, as a whole it has not reached the level that early leaders envisioned and other regions have attained. In some states, school groups are more vulnerable to extreme weather perils, shortages of talent and pressure created by the growth of commercial insurance program managers.
Pool Leadership
Risk sharing groups - pools - are influential in their respective states, yet not always fully appreciated at all levels. Wider communicatton of the benefits of risk sharing is one of the key responsibilities of executive directors and senior administrators of the risk sharing groups that operate in the eastern U.S. states from Maine to Florida.
To assist these leaders, two former risk group executives serve as strategic advisors. They have 30 years combined experience working for school risk groups in four eastern U.S. states and ten others across the U.S., including California.
Vision and Mission
The initial vision of this site is to support a strategic alliance for creative collaborative that benefits school districts in risk sharing groups holding certain objectives in common. Principal among these objectives is stewardship of public funds, transparency to the participating districts and accountability to boards of directors elected by the group participants.
While overall growth of risk sharing groups is important, each group has the responsibility to operate prudently, taking into consideration its resources and position.
The mission is to understand and value what works best for school districts and do more if it. By strengthening the bonds among the member groups and engaging in meaningful enterprise together, a sense of unity and the advancement of effective risk management practices will result.