School committee allows lower insurance limit for Northman 5K; members caution about liability

The North Smithfield School Committee voted April 22 to allow the Northman 5K to obtain liability coverage at the lower 1-to-3 million dollar tier rather than the district's usual $3 million minimum for facility renters.

Committee members spent significant time discussing liability and how rental events intersect with the district's insurance guidance. Alicia (district staff) explained the district asks renters to match its coverage because "$1,000,000 does not go as far as it used to" and that the district's liability trust will not cover third-party public events held off campus.

Speakers described the Northman 5K as a community event that has been run in partnership with the NSAA in recent years; students revived the event as a senior project after a several-year hiatus. Committee members and staff said road closures and police presence are part of event planning, and an outside company is coordinating race logistics.

Committee members expressed concern about setting a precedent by routinely accepting lower coverage, and several urged the event organizers to obtain higher limits if possible. One member said the lower premium might be modest and suggested fundraising to cover a higher-policy cost; another member said approving the reduction was a calculated risk given the short timeline and that without approval the race might not run.

A motion to approve the reduced insurance limit for this event was made and seconded; the committee voted in favor by voice vote and the motion passed. Committee members asked staff to seek additional quotes and to report back, and suggested future senior projects that involve public events be planned with earlier notification to allow time for insurance arrangements or town sponsorship.