Oklahoma school districts secure $1B insurance coverage and approve new educational programs

The Edmond Public Schools (EPS) Board Meeting on June 3, 2025, focused on several key insurance approvals and educational program purchases aimed at enhancing student learning.

One of the primary discussions involved the approval of property insurance coverage amounting to $3 million. The board highlighted the importance of pooling resources with other large school districts in Oklahoma to secure a total of $1 billion in insurance coverage, which significantly lowers property rates and deductibles for Edmond Public Schools.

Additionally, the board approved a business auto insurance policy for $310,902, driven by an increase in claims over the past five years, particularly due to rising repair costs for school buses. The workers' compensation insurance was also addressed, with a new rate of $797,648, reflecting a decrease of approximately $9,500 from the previous year, attributed to fewer claims.

The meeting also covered various other insurance policies, including crime insurance, storage tank pollution insurance, and cyber liability insurance, with the latter seeing a minor increase due to the district's growth. Overall, the net effect of these insurance approvals resulted in a savings of approximately $58,002 compared to the previous year.

In an educational context, the board discussed the purchase of the Renaissance Freckle and Lalilo intervention program for grades K through 5, costing $91,476. This program aims to assist in student learning growth in math and English Language Arts (ELA) and will be funded through instructional bond funds. The program is designed to integrate with existing assessment tools and provide tailored practice for students based on their performance.

The meeting concluded with a positive outlook on the district's financial management and educational strategies, emphasizing the importance of effective resource allocation to support student success.