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Board hears growing insurance, liability concerns as statute changes lengthen exposure
Summary
Business services staff warned that insurance for schools is harder to obtain and cited changes to statutes of limitation for misconduct claims that increase potential liability exposure; the board expects more market information in March.
Business and administrative services staff briefed the board on insurance market pressures and long-term liability concerns for school districts. Staff said insurance is becoming harder to obtain for schools and that the county’s excess liability funding arrangements may need restructuring when policies are renewed in the market next March.
The superintendent warned of a legal change increasing long-term liability exposure: "the law changed regarding, the statute of limitations for... misconduct in schools. And it, went from 10 years to age 40 or something like that. And now there is no time limit." Staff described that insurers and districts are preparing for increased claims and that some claims may be brought long after the events alleged, complicating defense and coverage. Board members asked for more detail and staff said the risk manager's market work will return more complete information at renewal time.
No policy changes were adopted at the meeting; staff recommended continued risk management actions and anticipated a fuller report in March when the market approach is clearer.
