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District reports lightning damage to stadium lighting and warns of higher insurance deductibles
Summary
District staff told the board that lightning damaged football-field lighting and that a change in the district's insurance program will raise the per-incident deductible from about $5,000 to a flat $50,000, meaning smaller claims may no longer be filed; staff said some scoreboard repairs remain under warranty.
District staff told the Nashville School District board that lightning struck and damaged the football-field lighting and that some repairs will be covered by warranty while others may trigger insurance claims.
"Now our deductible goes to a flat $50,000," the staff member said, describing a new insurance program the district was being offered. The staff member contrasted that with the prior deductible arrangement — roughly $5,000 per incident with a $10,000 maximum — and warned the change would shift smaller claims to local districts.
Board members and staff discussed the likely threshold for insurer payouts, with one member noting that only major events such as roof damage were likely to reach the new deductible threshold. The staff member said the recent lighting incident probably remained on the older policy when it was reported, and that the district had surge protectors on the system.
Separately, board members pointed out a green/red panel visible on the scoreboard; a member said that specific panel replacement is covered by warranty and the vendor will return to replace the tile.
Why it matters: a much higher deductible alters whether damage repairs will be paid by insurers or borne by the district budget, with potential budgetary consequences for facilities maintenance and emergency repairs.
The board was told the district will pursue warranty repairs where applicable and will address insurance and repair costs as part of budget discussions at the next meeting.
