Board approves property, casualty and workers' comp renewal; trustees authorize higher cyber coverage

Winchester Public Schools approved renewal of property, casualty and workers' compensation insurance and authorized an increase in the district’s cybersecurity coverage during its June 23 meeting.

Finance staff presented the upcoming July 1 renewals and the cost memo. Trustee Mister Rothermel raised concern that the district’s cyber risk limit—then $1 million—might be insufficient given rising cyber costs and potential forensic, notification and legal expenses after a breach. He cited a large payout in another district and asked whether higher coverage should be considered.

District staff reported they had already queried the insurer and could increase the per-occurrence cyber limit to $2 million. "We could double it," the staff member said, and added the additional premium would be roughly $2,000 and was affordable within the current budget. The board amended the recommended action to reflect the higher limit and authorized an amount not to exceed $401,007.61 to cover the full renewal with the increased cyber line.

Trustee Rothermel moved the revised motion; the motion was seconded by Trustee Harris and passed by voice vote. Board members also asked about insurer-provided cybersecurity guidance; staff said the carrier circulates tips and one-page resources and that additional conversations with the insurer and IT staff would follow.

The board approved the amended procurement to VA Corp for insurance coverage at the adjusted amount; the meeting record shows the motion passed and the staff was authorized to proceed with the renewal to ensure coverage effective July 1.