Board votes to discontinue elementary building property insurance, retains liability coverage

The Kenyon‑Wanamingo School District board voted to discontinue property insurance on the elementary building effective March 1, 2025, while retaining liability and coverage for contents. A motion to remove only the building/property portion of the policy — preserving insurance that covers people and personal property — was moved and seconded and passed 5–1 with the chair abstaining due to a conflict.

Board members discussed the tradeoffs of removing property coverage before the site is shown to potential buyers. A realtor advised maintaining building coverage through the sale process to avoid “optics” that a property is uncared for and to protect prospective purchasers; board members said they understood the concern but also noted prorated premium calculations make exact savings hard to estimate before the policy is processed. As one committee member summarized, the board intended to "keep your liability and your contents... and then get the rest back" while staff work to confirm final prorated refund figures.

The motion's sponsor argued the district should recoup premium dollars quickly to free funds for other uses, noting an estimated refund range the district is still confirming. The chair abstained from the vote, stating the insurance is through her employing agency and she would not participate; the board recorded the outcome as 5 yes, 1 no, 1 abstain. Staff (finance and the superintendent) said they will supply precise prorated figures and confirm which coverages will remain in force before any policy change is finalized.