Director's Desk Archives

Learning On the Job: SET SEG Internship Program

Learning on the Job

Each summer, the SET SEG internship program brings a group of young professionals into the working world to give them hands-on experiences that encourage professional growth. For many of the 2023 interns, it was their first work experience in an office setting, and while there was much to learn, there was a consensus – SET SEG’s workplace culture is positive, supportive, and welcoming.

“SET SEG doesn’t just promise a welcoming and collaborative work environment, they deliver,” said Sydney Tomlinson, 2023 graphic design intern.

The SET SEG Difference

While SET SEG is a risk management company, there is an abundance of opportunities outside typical roles like underwriting, claims, and customer service. SET SEG comprises many departments that attract diverse talent, providing employment opportunities across the company including sales, marketing, finance, employee benefits operations, information technology (IT), and human resources.

Most departments have the chance to onboard an intern each summer, allowing college students to gain valuable insight and real-life job experiences. In some cases, these experiences even inspire young professionals to enter the risk management or insurance fields.

“Throughout the past year and a half interning at SET SEG, I have gained a lot of hands-on experience across the company. This has inspired me to pursue a career in the insurance industry,” said Cole Moyer, former intern turned student assistant.

Others who completed the internship program have even found full-time roles at SET SEG after college. Joe Kubeshesky, the 2023 project management intern, was hired after graduation as a full-time Associate Systems Analyst on the IT team. Joe was quick to express his gratitude for the opportunities provided by his internship experience, sharing that he and the other interns grew exponentially during their time at the organization, both personally and professionally.

“I learned to work hard and be confident in myself while being open to feedback,” said Kubeshesky. “It’s important to push beyond your comfort zone so you can grow and develop as a professional. I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to intern at SET SEG, it led to an amazing full-time role with the company!”

We're hiring! 2024 Summer Internship Positions

Have you heard? We’re hiring for 2024 Summer Interns! If you or someone you know is seeking an internship, apply today!

Apply Here

2024 Education Excellence Award Winners

February 20, 2024 Leave a comment Director's Desk Featured Foundation

Each year, the SET SEG Foundation hosts the Education Excellence Awards in partnership with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB), granting funds to public school programs that change lives and impact students’ futures. In addition to the $2,500 grant, award recipients receive an “Education Excellence Winner” road sign and commemorative trophy to proudly display their accomplishments in the community.

And the winners are…

Detroit Public Schools

The Drew Horticulture Program serves special needs students and creates hands-on experiences that translate to adult life and career readiness. Students learn how to grow and tend fruits and vegetables, providing their crops to the school cafeteria, an in-school farm stand, food banks, and a stand at the Detroit Eastern Market. The program even offers opportunities to learn marketing and sales through selling produce to local restaurants.

Dundee Community Schools

Peer to Peer Celebrations connects autistic students with their peers, allowing them to build relationships and learn from each other. This partnership in the classroom creates an environment that celebrates equality and friendship, with students spending time together in class, at recess, and during lunch. Students, ages four-years-old to fourth grade, learn social-emotional skills, empathy, and kindness.

Ewen-Trout Creek Consolidated Schools

The Panther Den Community Caring Cart is a donation-based clothing closet serving students and the greater Ewen community since 2017. The Panther Den is filled with new and used clothing in all sizes and personal hygiene items, organized by volunteers, and displayed so that those in need can “shop” with dignity for items to fit their needs. When students and community members’ basic needs are met, their confidence and achievements in and out of the classroom continue to increase and benefit.

Glen Lake Community Schools

Essential Rotations is a series of classes middle school students take each year that promote social-emotional learning, social awareness, ethics, and self-management. Each grade level focuses on a different element of learning.

Sixth-grade students take the Hug Your Brain course, learning about self-awareness, mental health, and how to work with their peers to collaborate and problem-solve.
Seventh graders learn about social media, awareness, and dilemmas, focusing on developing their identity, ethical decision-making, and respecting other’s perspectives.
Eighth-grade students take woodshop, which is a creative approach to teaching self-management through responsibility, self-discipline, and goal planning and achievement.

This series of classes helps students learn more about themselves and their mental health and allows them to develop into their best selves safely and securely.

Grand Ledge Public Schools

The annual STEAM Showcase at Beagle Middle School highlights the projects that art and STEM students complete during the school year. About 400 students create over 2,000 exhibits including everything from simple machines and interactive prototypes to multimedia art displays throughout the school. Last year, the theme was based on the hit Netflix show “Stranger Things,” and over 250 students, families, faculty, and community members attended to see the installations created by the middle school students.

Lakeshore School District

Each spring, Hollywood Elementary students and staff come together to give back to the school and community, learning social responsibility, kindness, and charity. Students participate in a variety of projects like decorating lunch sacks for Meals on Wheels, weeding garden beds at local businesses and schools, making blankets for nursing home residents, and creating baby bags for new mothers. Children develop their social-emotional skills and can apply STEAM learning to create their projects.

Oakland Schools

Farm-to-Fork is a collaboration at Oakland Schools Technical Campus between the Agriscience & Environmental Technology and Culinary Arts/Hospitality program. For five weeks, the agriscience students raise 24 chickens, entering their top 12 largest chickens into a competition. Following the competition, the students present the progression of raising chickens to their culinary arts peers, who then receive the processed chickens to use in the kitchen and teach the agriscience students to break down and prepare a meal with the chickens raised.

Rogers City Area Schools

The School Garden is an integral part of the botany class at the high school, providing hands-on learning as well as fresh produce for the school cafeteria. The program utilizes the garden as an opportunity for students to learn about plant biology, environmental science, and sustainability, reinforcing their academic concepts with real-life experiences. The plans for the program include growing the greenhouse to produce even more crops to sustain the cafeteria and expanding the variety of produce grown throughout the year.

St. Charles Community Schools

This year, the Beautification Day program celebrates 50 years of supporting the St. Charles community, with thousands of students contributing over the program’s tenure. Originally started as an Earth Day cleanup, students now go out and serve their community by completing projects like litter clean up, planting flowers and trees, and even building birdhouses and benches. Students from grades 7-12 apply STEAM concepts to their projects, combining academics with social responsibility and stewardship. This program has grown to involve generations of families and learners as the community comes together to support each other.

St. Johns Public Schools

LINKS is an inclusive education program that caters to the diverse and unique needs of all students regardless of their abilities. At St. Johns Middle School, special needs students are paired up with other students to create a support system in and outside of school. This program increases academic achievement and social-emotional development for all students involved, creating lifelong friendships and connections.

Donate to the Education Excellence Awards

Did you know you can sponsor a scholarship or grant through the SET SEG Foundation? If you want to support impactful programs like the Education Excellence Awards, donate today!

Click to Donate!

#SETSEGStaff – Danica Klein

January 26, 2024 Leave a comment #SETSEGStaff Director's Desk

At SET SEG, we cultivate leaders – leaders in the insurance industry and within our organization. Our capacity to deliver a multitude of valuable services to schools across the state is significantly attributed to the talented individuals comprising our organization. Our Human Resources Manager, Danica Klein, is not only a notable addition to that talent pool but a critical force in maintaining its effectiveness.

Klein plays a pivotal role in developing and overseeing HR programs that seamlessly support the entire employment lifecycle, ensuring SET SEG is equipped with the necessary talent for success. Her responsibilities span from managing compensation and benefits to spearheading recruiting strategies, onboarding, and fostering positive employee relations. Klein not only focuses on identifying prospective leaders who align with SET SEG’s values but also on retaining and nurturing the existing talent within the organization.

Q&A: Danica Klein

Q: What advice would you give to women entering HR and/or the insurance industry?

I always give the same advice: do what scares you! Put yourself out there, seek out opportunities, and take them when they come. There will be many times when you feel underqualified, apprehensive, and “not ready.” If you take the leap and say yes, even when you’re scared, it will open opportunities and give you valuable experiences.

I am very thankful to the people who offered me a job shadow day, an internship, my first job after graduation, a meeting invite, or a morning to network over coffee. In my role here at SET SEG, I’m proud to offer those opportunities back to many talented students through our college outreach programs.

Q: What motivated you to become a leader?

I chose to study human resources because I wanted to help and serve people. To me, leadership offers that same opportunity. In leadership, you contribute to a shared mission, lead meaningful change, positively impact the business and the people, and motivate others to be the best versions of themselves.

And being in HR, it’s exciting to work with several different groups of people to unlock potential and create synergy within the organization.

Q: Describe your leadership style.

I would say that I like to meet people where they are with empathy and grace. I take a collaborative approach where we work as a team to play to each other’s strengths and solve problems together. I care for the people I work with, and when others can sense your intentions are good, it makes for an effective and trusting partnership. I am still at the beginning of my leadership journey and recognize that I have so much to learn in the years ahead.

Keeping a humble and continuous learning mindset is so important. We become better leaders when we choose to reflect on our experiences, celebrate the victories, and learn from our mistakes. I feel very fortunate to have many great leaders to learn from at SET SEG and in my local HR community.

Q: What does it mean to you to work at SET SEG?

Working as SET SEG has been a blessing in my life. We have some of the most talented, kind, hardworking, and generous people on our team. We are a small enough organization where we know everyone’s names and it feels like a big extended family.

Our team is so driven by our mission and core values that going the extra mile has quickly taken the place of the status quo. We push each other to improve and innovate. All of these factors combined make for an exceptional work environment. Looking forward to going to work each day is something I don’t take for granted.

Q: How do you feel you make an impact through SET SEG?

I’m proud to be part of an organization that makes such a positive impact on Michigan public schools. I attended public schools in Michigan for the entirety of my education and I still remember my favorite teachers and what a huge impact they made on my life.

While I am not directly working with our member districts in my particular role, I get to support our amazing employees so they can support our members daily. Ensuring that our employees feel supported and have the resources they need to successfully do their jobs brings me great joy.

I am in a unique role that strikes the balance of caring for the employee and the business simultaneously. It’s a challenge that I’ve grown to love over the years!

5 Reasons to Work with SET SEG

July 7, 2023 Leave a comment Director's Desk Employee Benefit Services Foundation Property/Casualty Workers' Compensation

Q: Why SET SEG?
A: We’re NOT Your Typical Insurance Company

We are a risk management partner comprised of public schools—not a for-profit corporation.

Our members are part of a Property/Casualty Pool and a Workers’ Compensation Fund, meaning member districts are our shareholders. This also means the premium we collect belongs to our members, so when a surplus exists, those funds are given back in the form of net asset returns and premium reductions. Additionally, we provide Employee Benefit services to help our member districts take control of their healthcare costs and identify creative solutions to provide employees with high-quality benefits options.

Protecting public schools is a risky endeavor, and in Michigan, where the summers are short and the winters are freezing, providing affordable and quality coverage can be a challenge.

As our schools face these challenges, we like to remind them one thing: they’re not alone.

From our corporate programs and workplace culture to our philanthropic efforts through the Foundation, SET SEG sets itself apart in the insurance industry by putting schools first and employing talent with that same mindset.

5 Reasons to Work With SET SEG

1. We Encourage Professional Growth

Career growth is a journey, and whether that looks like a lateral move, a promotion, or even completely shifting departments, SET SEG works to foster an environment that allows employees to learn and grow as their career vision evolves.

By providing exposure to all facets of the insurance industry across the organization and relying strongly on collaboration, our team is offered opportunities to venture beyond their initial job description, whether that be through professional development, establishing new networking connections, or gaining experience in a different facet of the industry.

“In my experience at SET SEG, the organization truly invests in the person and not just the job that person is filling,” said Emorie Bond, former intern and now SET SEG Marketing Coordinator. “If you show interest and aptitude in other areas of the business, there are opportunities to explore options beyond your current position.”

2. We Are A Team

At SET SEG, everyone is working toward the same goal – to put Michigan’s public schools first. With less than 100 employees serving schools throughout the state, our close-knit staff have become a part of the education communities in which they work. Many of them were even former employees of the school districts they work with now.

“When I was a superintendent, I wish I had known just how much support and expertise SET SEG has and how well protected our school district was because we were a member of their programs,” said Greg Gray, Employee Benefits Sales Manager. “This organization is different because schools are all we do. From its creation more than 50 years ago to now, the people at SET SEG have committed their time, expertise, and resources into helping schools succeed.”

3. We Reinvest in Michigan Communities

In almost every aspect of our organization, we give back monetarily to our member school districts, and not just in our work collectively. Each department gets to see firsthand how Michigan’s public schools benefit from what we do every day, offering our employees a level of fulfillment not always prevalent in the insurance industry.

“I love that the work I do helps to affordably protect public schools from the risks they are facing on a daily basis, in turn allowing them to focus more on what matters most – educating the students of Michigan,” said Stephanie Anderson, SET SEG Underwriting and Loss Control Manager.

Click here to view 12 ways we give back and how this philosophy fits into our core values as a company.

4. We Prioritize Relationships Over Revenue

For SET SEG, building trust and lasting relationships with school administrators comes first over making the sale. In fact, it’s so ingrained in our workplace culture, we often employ former school district employees to ensure we continue to deliver the resources and guidance our members are looking for.

“For those of us in sales at SET SEG, we aren’t working for a commission,” said Paul Grienke, Insurance Education Specialist. “For us, it’s about putting the time into learning what a school district’s unique needs are and establishing that relationship with the administrators, so we have their trust in delivering the services and resources they need when they need them.”

5. We Offer Opportunity

SET SEG nurtures a culture of engagement. Employees’ voices are heard, and work exists on a collaborative plain. If you’re interested in joining the team in supporting Michigan’s public schools, click to view job opportunities available now!

SET SEG Makes the List: Best Places to Work

To deliver on all five of the elements listed here that sets SET SEG apart from others in the industry, we rely heavily on feedback – from school administrators, from our public schools, and from our employees.

We’re proud to have been included on Business Insurance’s Best Places to Work list every year since 2018 and plan to continue operating as an organization that values its employees and members every day.

SET SEG Supports New Talent in the Insurance Industry

May 4, 2023 Leave a comment Director's Desk Featured Loss Control Property/Casualty Workers' Compensation

As an employer in the insurance industry, SET SEG believes that supporting students’ education is the key to building a successful future for the insurance industry by curating a strong talent pipeline. AmTrust Financial reports that the industry employment trends suggest a potential insurance talent crisis as retirement approaches for older workers with no one to replace them.

To address this issue, the SET SEG Insurance and Risk Management Scholarship was created. In honor of Alan Fergin, a valued SET SEG team member for nearly 40 years, this scholarship was designed to provide assistance and resources for students pursuing higher education in principles of insurance, risk management, and mitigation practices.

“At SET SEG we understand the importance and value of supporting and fostering new talent,” said Tim Averill, Executive Director of SET SEG. “We are passionate about investing in the future of the insurance industry and equipping young professionals with resources to further their education.”

The Insurance and Risk Management Scholarship awards qualifying students pursuing careers in the industry $1,000 to those attending community college and $2,500 to those attending a four-year university per academic year. The scholarship can be renewed for up to a total of four academic years to be used for insurance-related program educational costs such as tuition, books, and other class materials.

Renewal Scholarship Recipients

Congratulations to our three 2023 Insurance and Risk Management Scholarship renewal winners! Previous scholarship winners who are continuing higher education in insurance and risk management are eligible to renew their scholarships for another academic year.

Neveah Reasoner of Mason, Michigan has renewed her scholarship for her second year of education at Ferris State University.
Miguel Solis of Lansing, Michigan renewed his scholarship for his second year at Michigan State University.
Carter Cappon of Hastings, Michigan has renewed his scholarship for his fourth year at Olivet College.

Five Michigan Students Receive 2023 Insurance and Risk Management Scholarship

Asia St. John graduated from Leslie Public Schools and the Wilson Talent Center in Mason, Michigan. As a first-generation college student, she is excited about the opportunities the insurance industry brings and plans to learn multiple roles in the field. St. John is receiving $2,500 to use toward further education in insurance and risk management.

Chasity Johnson, a mother of five, has returned to school to pursue a more fulfilling career path in the insurance industry, following her passion to help others. “I also hope this inspires my kids to always go after their dream no matter what age they are,” she shared. Johnson is receiving $1,000 toward her education at Lansing Community College.

Ramon Lopez is a high school senior at Lansing Public Schools whose interest in the field was piqued through an insurance basics class. He looks forward to bringing his strong work ethic and passion to learn into the insurance industry. Lopez is receiving $1,000 toward her education at Lansing Community College.

Fowler native Macy Gibbons discovered insurance through classes at Eaton RESA in high school, sparking her desire to pursue insurance and risk management as well as claims investigation in college. “I enjoy insurance because it is an important industry that will never fade, and I love being able to provide support to other people during hard times.” Gibbons is receiving $2,500 to use toward further education in insurance and risk management.

Isabella Seger-Wagasy comes from a family of insurance agents who has inspired her to pursue education in the field with the hope of one day taking over the family business. She plans to study abroad in Europe to learn from a variety of international insurance companies and hopes to guide young professionals in the future through involvement in young insurance agent groups. Seger-Wagasy will receive $2,500 to use toward further education in insurance and risk management.

#SETSEGStaff – Lynn Revoldt

April 10, 2023 Leave a comment #SETSEGStaff Director's Desk

SET SEG is happy to announce the arrival of Lynn Revoldt, Director of Employee Benefits Client Services. With an extensive employee benefits background, Revoldt brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to SET SEG, and we are excited to add her industry expertise to our organization.

Revoldt has more than 30 years of experience serving in various employee benefits roles, ranging from claims analyst and benefits administrator to operations manager and director of operations. Prior to joining SET SEG, Revoldt provided employee benefits solutions in a variety of organizations, and she is excited to apply her experience and expertise to helping Michigan’s public schools.

Now, as SET SEG’s Director of Employee Benefits Client Services, Revoldt directs the overall design, implementation, strategy, and administration of SET SEG’s employee benefit services programs. This position ensures that SET SEG services and plans adhere to current regulations and supports the organization’s strategic initiatives through collaboration with SET SEG leadership and other departments.

Women In Leadership

At SET SEG fostering growth in leadership is key to ensuring the organization’s values are upheld at every level of service. With a diverse set of leadership styles heading our organization, we’re excited to welcome Revoldt to our team of strong women leaders advocating for our members – Michigan’s public schools.

Q&A: Lynn Revoldt

Q: What advice would you give to women entering this industry?
A: Have faith and grace in yourself and others. It is up to you to recognize your own worth, share your knowledge, and support yourself and those around you. Hard work is important but so is the intelligence with which you perform the service – and never forget to have grace. There is nothing as satisfying as helping someone grow and making a long-term difference.

Q: Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.
A: I have always believed that Leadership is more than a position or a title – it is a skill and a mindset that must be constantly developed through an unending process of self-study, education, and experience. A positive attitude is such an important part of the overall equation and integrity is key.

As a leader, I will offer direction through mentorship, collaboration, and continual support to our team. The existence of unified goals will assist us in our efforts to work enthusiastically towards objectives and provide a consistent and coherent process to help achieve our organizational goals.

Q: What are you looking forward to most in your role at SET SEG?
A: I look forward to being part of an organization that can really make a difference – an organization that puts supporting Michigan Public Schools first on every agenda.

This team operates to serve others by simplifying the complex and must keep up with, and stay on top of, a constantly changing environment. To have this opportunity to be part of the Employee Benefits Team that strives to concentrate on these important issues each and every day is truly exhilarating and I am looking forward to each new challenge as a member of the team.

2023 MSAFE Award Winners

March 21, 2023 Leave a comment Director's Desk Property/Casualty Workers' Compensation

Congratulations to This Year’s MSAFE Winners!

The SET SEG Michigan Safety Awareness and Facilities Excellence (MSAFE) Award is a special way to recognize strong, supportive members of the Property/Casualty Pool and Workers’ Compensation Fund, rewarding their proactive efforts to protect their school community.

We are thrilled to announce and congratulate the third-annual MSAFE Award winners!

2023 REGIONAL MSAFE AWARD WINNERS:

L’Anse Area Schools
Oakridge Public Schools
Gobles Public Schools
Allen Park Public Schools

These exemplary SET SEG members possess outstanding safety records and take significant steps to preserve the safety and security of their buildings and grounds. Each winner met specific criteria for claims experience, prompt reporting, claims resolution, and training participation that earned them this prestigious distinction among their peers, along with a commemorative trophy and $1,000 to invest in their school district!

This fall, one grand prize winner will be selected from the group and will be granted an additional $2,500 to continue to build upon safety measures in their district. We applaud these school districts for their best-in-class safety practices and dedication to protecting their students and staff!

Know Your School’s Roof – It Matters

February 23, 2023 Leave a comment Director's Desk Featured Loss Control Property/Casualty

What type of roof system does your school district have? When do your roof warranties expire? When was the last time someone walked on and inspected your school’s roof?

If you don’t have the answers to the questions above, then let us help you.

For Michigan public schools, the weather can wreak havoc on facilities. Whether you’re located in the Upper Peninsula experiencing heavy amounts of snow and ice, or near the lakeshore getting wind and hail, threats to a school’s roof are frequent and can result in costly claims.

But with limited personnel and high turnover, SET SEG understands the challenges many of our members are facing when prioritizing a comprehensive maintenance program.

Marquette-Alger RESA: A District’s Perspective

Chief Financial Officer at Marquette-Alger RESA, Anthony Bertucci, has more than 15 years of experience working in public school facilities. After recently completing a roof replacement at his district, Bertucci shares his perspective on the challenges and solutions that come with roof maintenance at a Michigan public school.

Q: For a school district, what are the challenges that you’ve encountered regarding roof maintenance?
A: Most often the biggest challenge is personnel, feeling like you don’t have the staff and the capacity to maintain all facilities in the district. But roof maintenance is critical – you have to make the time.

Q: What are some of the processes you and your facility team have put in place?
A: You have to get up there regularly and walk the roof. We’ve established a schedule, clearing drains at least twice a year and checking all roofs after high winds or any other major weather event. Regular walkthroughs are the best way to identify issues before they become a major problem.

Q: For school employees who don’t have experience maintaining roofs, where do you recommend they start?
A: Make the time to do the preventive maintenance walkthrough – and pay attention to those roof drains. Understand the building structure and figure out what type of roof you have. You need to get someone with decision-making authority up on the roof to understand the conditions, then lean on SET SEG’s resources if you need additional support.

“We’re very fortunate as a school district to partner with an organization like SET SEG, which really has the best interests of its policyholders in mind. I really appreciate their proactive approach, with all the resources and trainings they provide.” – Anthony Bertucci, Chief Financial Officer at Marquette-Alger RESA

Make Roof Inspections a Priority – Contact SET SEG

SET SEG Loss Control Representative Skip Barclay is a HAAG-certified commercial roof inspector, performing building hazard assessments and reviewing claims for members across the state. After touring the Upper Peninsula’s school roofs with additional plans to explore the rest of the state, Barclay has seen it all.

Q: What is it about roofs that pose such a challenge?
A: Roof systems can be complex, and if you don’t have a record of the type of roof system you have, when the warranties are up, and an inspection and maintenance checklist, then it’s a real challenge for school staff to maintain safe and secure roofs.

Q: How does a school district get started in understanding its roof system and what it takes to maintain it?
A: Have an inspection schedule, review manufacturer/contractor’s information warranties, familiarize staff with how the roof is constructed, and be able to identify defects. Potential problems aren’t always noticeable, knowledge of your roof system enhances the chances of finding and preventing potential problems.

Are your drains blocked?
Do you have pools of standing water?
Are there any sections of the roof membrane loose or flapping in the wind?

If you find any of these issues, repairs may fall under existing warranties. If not, call your SET SEG Loss Control Representative immediately before greater damages occur.

Q: Why call SET SEG?
A: We’re here to help and this is what I do. As a member of the Property/Casualty Pool, we can help you identify and develop a strategy to address your biggest roof challenges. We can help you establish a maintenance schedule that fits your facility’s staff and their capacity. We are committed to providing the resources and support a district needs to prevent these major claims from occurring.

“Due to the longevity of roof warranties and high turnover in school districts, there needs to be a process and schedule established to maintain your roofs. I encourage districts to get up on the roof, document what they’re maintaining and the types of roofs they have.” – Skip Barclay, SET SEG Loss Control Representative

Start Here to Access SET SEG’s Roof Resources

Request a Roof Inspection
Fill out this form to request a visit from SET SEG’s certified roof inspector, Skip Barclay, to inspect roofs and provide guidance on the next steps.
[PDF] Roof Inspection Form
Download your own roof inspection form and start documenting your maintenance record.
[PDF] Snow Removal Tips
Click to access tips on developing a snow removal plan for your district.

2022 SET SEG Holiday Card Contest Winner

December 8, 2022 Leave a comment Director's Desk

Congratulations to Alina Geiger, an eleventh grader from Tuscola ISD, for winning the grand prize in our 2022 holiday card contest! This year we had hundreds of entries to choose from and were impressed by the creativity and talent demonstrated by student artists throughout the state. Alina’s art will appear on the cover of our holiday card, sent to more than 800 member districts, vendors and partners.

Thank you to all the students and teachers who participated in our contest! All of us at SET SEG wish you a happy holiday season!

Pictured from left to right: SET SEG Employee Benefits Sales Manager Greg Gray, Sheryl Pisché, Allison Geiger, Todd Leventure, and Lee Pavlichek.

When a Gym Floor Looks Like an Ocean Wave

November 8, 2022 Leave a comment Director's Desk Featured Loss Control Property/Casualty

When water encounters a gym floor and isn’t immediately removed and inspected, disaster looms. If not caught immediately and dried, water can severely damage a gym floor almost immediately.

In our over 35 years of experience, our Property/Casualty claims team has witnessed gym floors so buckled and bent, the district had no choice but to shut the gym down and replace the whole floor – leading to months of contract and claims negotiations, athletic and sports event repercussions, and unique classroom coordination challenges.

What happens when a gym floor gets wet?

Buckled and bent floorboards
Relocated gym classes
Canceled practices and games
Approximately $90,000-$190,000 in damages

When Disaster Strikes, Who Do You Call?

Chad Zeismer, SET SEG’s Property Claims Consultant, has seen it all, walking school district administrators through some of the worst property claims seen in the state.

Q: As the SET SEG Property Claims Consultant, what is your role when a district calls with a potential problem?
A: First and foremost, I work with the Loss Control team to determine what potential claims are likely and what can be done to prevent them. If there is a reported loss, I will first identify what caused it and if it’s considered a covered loss. I work with the vendors and contractors to negotiate costs, ensuring no one is taking advantage of the district or the claim. Even if the loss isn’t covered, we still work closely with the district to ensure they’re receiving fair pricing to repair any damages.

Q: Why are gym floors such a problem?
A: Gym floors are one of the most expensive items in a school and often the main focus for a community. Because they’re susceptible to any water intrusion, if any amount of water is found on a gym floor, then cleaned up and forgotten about, real problems can start to emerge as short as a few days later. If water has been left on a gym floor, it may be too far gone to salvage. It’s important for school employees to take any amount of water on the gym floor seriously.

These types of claims often happen over the holiday break, causing a district to lose the second half of their basketball season, wrestling meets, and cheer competitions – disrupting all kinds of athletic programs. To prevent this, call your flooring contractor, mitigation contractor, and SET SEG if you notice water on the gym floor. We will make sure the contractors work together to save the floor from damage.

Q: Why call SET SEG?
A: We’re here to help. As a member of the Property/Casualty Pool, you’re not alone. We are dedicated to providing members with the tools and resources to prevent claims before they occur. However, when disaster strikes, we provide the support and claims assistance to help districts navigate a difficult time.

“We’re not an insurance carrier – we’re a Pool. We value our partnerships with public schools and it’s important to us that we assist our districts in saving money and resolving claims in a timely manner.” – Chad Zeismer, SET SEG Property Claims Consultant

Ionia Public School District: A Disaster Avoided

Even when administrators and facilities staff are doing their due diligence to ensure school district buildings and property are safe and functioning at an optimal level, incidents can still occur.

In April 2022, the facilities team at Ionia Public School District discovered water on the gym floor due to a leak in the roof. Immediately, Facilities and Grounds Director Mike Avery, along with Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Andy Barr, took action, calling in mitigation contractors, a flooring contractor, and the school’s SET SEG Loss Control Representative. While the roof leak was addressed, the gym floor was evaluated, dried, and sections of flooring replaced.

“SET SEG really kept things moving,” Avery stated. “So much so that we never missed a day of class in that gym – there was no disruption to the school’s business despite having to fix the floor.”

As a long-time member of the Property/Casualty Pool, Ionia Public School District’s facilities crew has developed a partnership with the SET SEG Loss Control Team in an effort to improve safety and security measures throughout the district and manage any potential issues.

“I’ve been in this role for 20 years and SET SEG has stepped up to the plate anytime we’ve needed assistance when it comes to our facilities,” said Avery. “What’s amazing is how fast they reach out to us after we file a claim. The response time, along with the expertise and suggestions we receive through routine safety walkthroughs is invaluable.”

Moist, swollen and receding parquet after water leakage

Take Immediate Action

All it takes is a few days for a gym floor to start bubbling up or buckling if exposed to water. If there are any signs of water collecting on your district’s gym floor, contact SET SEG immediately.