Property/Casualty Archives

When a Gym Floor Looks Like an Ocean Wave

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.

SET SEG: Not Your Typical Insurance Company

October 27, 2022 Leave a comment Cyber Director's Desk Foundation Loss Control Property/Casualty Workers' Compensation

For most insurance companies, success is defined by profit and financial benchmarks. But for SET SEG, that’s not the case — we’re not an insurance company. Our members join a pool and fund as opposed to going with a traditional insurance carrier, meaning member districts are our shareholders and have a voice in our strategic direction. The success of the Pool and Fund allows members to receive net asset returns and premium reductions.

Insuring public schools is a risky endeavor, and in Michigan, where the summers are short and the winters are freezing, providing affordable and quality coverage on everything from property/casualty and workers’ compensation to employee benefits, 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 SET SEG Foundation, giving back to our schools and communities has become a part of the SET SEG approach, always connecting back to our core value to put schools first.

12 Ways SET SEG Gives Back

12. Property/Casualty Return Checks

Every year, districts that are members of the MASB/SEG Property/Casualty Pool receive a net asset return check for funds not utilized in covering claims the previous year. As members of the Pool, school districts share the risk but benefit when claims are reduced and prevented.

11. Workers’ Compensation: Funding Safety Initiatives

Every spring, the SEG Self-Insurer Workers’ Compensation Fund sends a check to each member of the Fund so those districts can purchase products that will help decrease common injuries that occur inside the classroom, with the ultimate goal of reducing injuries and claims across the state.

10. Free Subscription to MyCyber

It’s not enough to provide funds for the property and buildings our students and educators populate, protecting districts from cyber threats is also a top priority. Through a partnership with Tetra Defense, a leading cybersecurity firm, SET SEG provides a valuable tool for members to scan their systems allowing schools to shore up their cyber defenses, keeping their school community safe from damaging cyber incidents.

SET SEG is providing all members with a free subscription to MyCyber, a platform used to conduct cyber hygiene projects ensuring schools are following cyber security best practices and have all the tools they need to remain secure. Click to learn more.

9. Adopt a Family

As an organization, participating in Adopt-a-Family prior to the holidays is a great way to engage our employees and give back to the community at the same time. Each year, SET SEG pledges to assist one or two families who may be struggling to provide gifts for their children.

This season, our staff is purchasing and donating enough gifts to cover a family of five.

8. Employee Food Drive

For two weeks this November, our staff brought in food donations to the office for a food drive benefitting the SIREN/Eaton Shelter in Charlotte, Michigan, a community resource dedicated to providing advocacy and support services to the homeless population and domestic violence survivors.

7. Paid Volunteer Time

While giving back is top of mind during the holiday season, SET SEG has put in place policies that encourage philanthropy all year round, specifically through paid volunteer time and donating to our Foundation with payroll contributions. Employees are given eight hours of paid time off from work to volunteer for a cause, event, organization, etc. of their choice.

In addition to giving their time, many SET SEG employees take advantage of our payroll contribution option to donate an amount per day period to the SET SEG Foundation, directly donating to grant and scholarship programs benefiting our public schools.

6. Send a Candy Cane

In December, as a fundraiser for the SET SEG Foundation, the philanthropic arm of our organization, staff can pay $1 to send a coworker a festive treat with a message to share their appreciation during the holiday season.

5. Award 10 Schools $2,500

The SET SEG Foundation is once again partnering with the Michigan Association of School Boards to honor Michigan public school programs with Education Excellence Awards. Ten educational programs within Michigan public schools and/or ISDs will be awarded the grant to continue their positive influence on their students and community.

Winners receive $2,500, a commemorative trophy, and a street sign announcing the districts as an Education Excellence winner. Apply here: setseg.org/edex

4. Send 65 Students to Summer Leadership Camp

The Michigan Association of Student Councils and Honor Societies (MASC/MAHS) Summer Leadership Camp provides an opportunity for students to experience lessons in leadership, communications, group activities, and goal setting. Through this competitive process, students in grades nine through 12 receive scholarships to attend camp.

Every year, SET SEG receives hundreds of applications from all throughout Michigan and awards $26,000 in full scholarships. Click to learn more.

3. Provide 20 Students Scholarships for the Skilled Trades

The SET SEG Foundation believes in supporting Michigan public school students in the pursuit of enrichment opportunities that advance learning and create opportunities. With the shortage of skilled trade workers in Michigan, we want to help revitalize these career paths and support students in their professional pursuits by giving 20 scholarships each in the amount of $500. Click to learn more.

2. Award 3 School Districts in the Student Showcase

Each year MASC/MAHS invite students across the state to develop a student showcase presentation that shares the very best in programming currently being executed at their school. Presentations are held at regional events throughout the state and can be selected to present at the state conference in February. The top presentations are voted on by attending schools for a chance to present to more than 2,000 student leaders from across the State of Michigan. Students attending the state conference will vote for the top three winners.

The SET SEG Foundation awards the top three winning school districts $1,000.

#GivingTuesday: SET SEG Foundation

Throughout our #12WaysOfGiving series we’ve covered all the ways SET SEG gives back to Michigan’s schools and communities, even highlighting our generous staff for all they give throughout the year in addition to their hard work serving our members every day.

Now it’s your turn.

If you would like to contribute to any of the SET SEG Foundation’s programs benefitting Michigan public school educators and students, please donate today: setseg.org/donate.

Groundbreaking Transportation Safety at West Shore ESD

October 21, 2022 Leave a comment Director's Desk Loss Control Property/Casualty

For school districts and SET SEG, student safety is always top of mind. There are, of course, many factors that play into that safety. Concerns such as facility security and structural maintenance certainly play a role in keeping students safe; however, one of the largest factors contributing to the safety of our students comes from the preparedness of the often-unsung heroes from any school district: bus drivers.

Katrina Morris, Transportation Director for West Shore ESD and Executive Director of the Michigan Association for Pupil Transportation (MAPT) has always recognized this fact. “We have the most safety-sensitive position in our whole entire district,” explains Morris. “Our drivers are the first and last people to see those kids every single day.”

Morris, a former bus driver herself, has spent her career advocating for bus drivers in her district and beyond, recognizing the importance of those roles within every school district. At West Shore ESD, she and her staff worked to develop training and requirements that provide bus drivers with all of the tools necessary to keep students secure. At MAPT, she was able to extend that training to the rest of Michigan public schools, and ultimately, helped to pass legislation mandating it.

Proactive Bus Driver Training

After meeting with the Mason County school safety team, Morris recognized that, while broad safety training and procedures were in place, there was nothing specifically tailored to the unique challenges of transportation departments. Morris and her team subsequently developed courses specific to bus drivers, requiring supervisors and bus drivers to participate in proactive training that helps them identify potential safety issues and act before problems arise. This specialized training addresses, among other things, intruders, and other unauthorized individuals, attempting to board a school bus; a surprisingly common, and dangerous, occurrence.

After successfully enacting these requirements at West Shore ESD, Morris realized that the same issue she encountered in Mason County (limited bus driver-specific safety training) was likely affecting schools across the state.

Leveraging her experience at West Shore ESD, and her position at MAPT, she approached Michigan lawmakers for the funding needed to expand this valuable training to the rest of the state, ultimately securing $810,000 to incorporate proactive training to the curriculum already in place.

Now, part of the mandated training bus drivers and supervisors undergo includes guidance that gives them tools for recognizing and preventing potential threats to their and students’ safety. According to Morris, the training empowers bus drivers to act: “They have more options – when they see something happening, or they’re questioning something, they know that they have a voice to say, ‘what can I do about this?’”

Bus Legislation for Change

Beyond training, Morris and her staff have worked closely with Michigan lawmakers to add multiple pieces of legislation that keep students and drivers safe, such as:

Passing a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended was already illegal, but now law enforcement is permitted to use camera footage from the bus to enforce the crime.
Boarding a school bus without permission is now a civil infraction.
Buses can now feature a sign on the side of the vehicle explaining the penalty for unauthorized entry.

The legislation championed by Morris has resulted in buses across the state being equipped with additional safety features that weren’t present before. Safety features like outside cameras, LED stop signs, and LED bus signs are now commonplace.

We applaud the work Morris and MAPT have done. What started at West Shore ESD has branched out throughout all of Michigan and, in some cases North America, for a solitary reason: it keeps students and drivers safe.

Members of MASB-SEG Property/Casualty Pool all play a role in maintaining the level of security the pool offers. Regardless of the size of the district, or level of employee, we are all contributing to the safety and security of Michigan public schools. That safety often starts and ends with bus drivers.

For more information about current and upcoming bus safety training, as well as general news regarding pupil transportation in the state of Michigan, visit the MAPT website.

All the Pieces of the Puzzle for School Bus Safety

Want to learn more about bus safety? Watch our EduSeries Training video with SET SEG’s Loss Control Representative Jamison Hagerty and West Shore ESD’s Transportation Director Katrina Morris as the walk viewers through the key points of building and maintaining a strong transportation program.

Click here to watch!

Funding for School Safety Assessments

August 29, 2022 Leave a comment Director's Desk Property/Casualty

Thanks to the efforts of Secure Education Consultants (SEC) and the Michigan state legislature, funding is available for Michigan public schools to conduct physical site assessments of their facilities. We urge all SET SEG members to take advantage of this funding and contact SEC to schedule a site assessment as soon as possible.

The Need for Site Assessments

Keeping your students and employees safe is of the utmost importance. Following recent acts of violence that have occurred in our schools, districts have been quick to defend their facilities with any number of products and services. However, without knowing the weaknesses or gaps in a district’s security plan, blindly buying products can give a false sense of security as they may not be addressing that district’s specific needs.

SEC President Jason Russell likens this scenario to a doctor and pharmacy relationship: “In Michigan, we were sending schools right to the pharmacy without ever sending them to the doctor first.” A site assessment is like going to the doctor – SEC thoroughly examines your facilities and identifies potential vulnerabilities while offering strategies to improve the safety and security of your district.

Why SEC?

SET SEG has long partnered with SEC to provide our members with the best possible security consultation available. With over 100 years of combined security and law enforcement experience, SEC is rapidly becoming one of the largest security assessment firms in the country. They quite simply have more experience than any other security consultation organizations serving public schools.

Having a strong partnership with SEC has been crucial for our district. Jason and his team really listen to what our needs are, the unique problems we face, and the concerns we have. It gives me great comfort knowing we have the most professional, highest-level group of experts helping us keep our students, staff, and community safe.

Dr. Embekka Roberson, Birmingham Schools

Russell and the experienced consultants at SEC worked with the Michigan legislative body to make grant funds for site assessments possible. They developed the requirements and guidelines for assessors, ensuring your district’s interests are put first. There truly is no other group better suited for these assessments.

Contact SEC at info@secureed.com or (616) 528-4071 to secure state funding and set up your site assessment. Click here for more information about SEC’s site assessment process.

Cyber Criminals Target Public Schools – SET SEG Acts

May 12, 2022 Leave a comment Cyber Property/Casualty

Cyber Risk Assessment

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, public schools were common targets for cybercriminals due to inconsistent cyber security resources and best practices. With the shift to online and hybrid learning models, bad actors increased the severity and frequency of attacks to take advantage of a hectic and vulnerable environment.

According to a study conducted by cyber security experts, Beazley, the education sector is in the top five industries targeted by cybercriminals. The study also identified employees as the largest at-risk group for giving cybercriminals a way into networks, whether by clicking on an insecure link or providing access to malicious contacts.

Armed with this information, the SET SEG team developed a Cyber Risk Assessment, a visual representation of a school district’s cyber risk level through a red, yellow, and green light system. In the assessment tool, cyber security best practices are listed as actionable tasks with a green to red color-coded scale for the school district to determine their risk level.

With a tool like the Cyber Risk Assessment, a public school’s administration can identify areas of strength, areas to evaluate and improve, and areas that require immediate attention.

Protecting School Districts from Cyber Threats in the Future

While the Cyber Risk Assessment helped districts across the state strengthen their cyber security, SET SEG is committed to continue providing the best resources available to members. Recently, SET SEG partnered with Tetra Defense, a leading cyber defense firm that has significant experience in the education industry. As part of our cyber insurance coverage, members with MyCyber will receive monthly scans from Tetra Defense identifying any weak spots in their network that bad actors could take advantage of.

Resources provided by the MyCyber platform aren’t just basic FAQs you could find on the internet. The recommended cyber hygiene projects and associated resources are defined by professionals tirelessly engaging these cyber threats every day. The information your district will have access to is the most relevant information available regarding cyber defense.

If you’re a SET SEG member, click here to access the SET SEG member registration code and sign up to bolster your district’s cyber security today!

Protect Your School Community – Win an Award for Facilities Excellence

April 13, 2022 Leave a comment Director's Desk Property/Casualty

Every year, we recognize outstanding members of the Property/Casualty Pool and Workers’ Compensation Fund by rewarding their proactive efforts to protect their district’s buildings and grounds. The Michigan Safety Awareness and Facilities Excellence (MSAFE) Award was instituted to show our appreciation for member districts that do everything they can to limit claims while protecting students and employees.

Safety Considerations

What are districts like the recent regional MSAFE Award winners doing to successfully protect their facilities? They put in place procedures and products that maintain a consistent level of safety.

Slips, trips, and falls are a constant concern in any state, but Michigan’s climate can be especially hazardous. Transitioning seasons supply enough rain, ice, and snow to require a number of solutions to limit those risks. Consider adding things like non-slip stair treads, floor mats, wet floor signs, and more to your safety repertoire.

You Could Be the Next Winner!

Regional MSAFE awards are announced annually. If you haven’t been selected yet, ask your Loss Control Consultant what you can do to preserve the safety of your facilities and grounds. Instituting our safety recommendations raises your chances for winning this award.

What’s more, regional MSAFE winners are entered into a second drawing for an overall grand prize MSAFE Award. Grand prize winners provide the most proactive safety operations for the year out of all of our member districts.

2021 Annual Board Meeting Highlights

October 11, 2021 Leave a comment Director's Desk Property/Casualty Workers' Compensation

To ensure the best possible decisions are made for SET SEG member districts, our boards are staffed with your peers. In September, the Workers’ Compensation and Property/Casualty boards meet annually to discuss the most important items Michigan educators encounter. If you weren’t able to attend, here is what you missed:

Workers’ Compensation Board of Trustees Annual Meeting

Financial Audit 2020/2021
After presenting the responsibilities of management and the auditor throughout the audit process, the audited financial report was presented to attendees. After receiving an unqualified opinion on the audit from the auditor, the board moved to approve the Audited Financial Statements of the Workers’ Compensation Fund as presented for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.

Board Member Appointment
We welcomed Gene Pierce, Superintendent from Tuscola ISD, to the Workers’ Compensation board where he will be adding his years of experience to help guide the Workers’ Compensation Fund.

Sales and Marketing Report
The wildly popular Safety Program, which distributes funds to member districts to help protect the health and safety of their school communities, will return for the third year. This year, SET SEG will be allocating $550,000 to member districts, up $50,000 from last year.

Executive Director’s Report
SET SEG is in the process of developing a new online enrollment system that will be implemented throughout member districts, providing time-saving HR tools.

Property/Casualty Annual Board of Directors Meeting

Financial Audit 2020/2021
After presenting the responsibilities of management and the auditor throughout the audit process, the audited financial report was presented to attendees. After receiving an unqualified opinion on the audit from the auditor, the board moved to approve the Audited Financial Statements of the Property/Casualty Pool as presented for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.

Cyber Task Force Update
Cybercriminals have increasingly targeted K-12 institutions over the last few years. Recognizing the importance of strong safeguards for member districts, SET SEG has pooled together a variety of resources, including a cyber task force to continually monitor potential threats and an entire Cyber Security Resource Center on our website providing members with the information they need to build a solid security foundation. While the existence of cyberthreats is certainly a looming presence for Michigan educators, we are committed to supporting our members with a regularly updated response as the situation evolves.

Sales and Marketing Report
EduSeries, the member-exclusive series of educational programs specifically crafted for school administrators and employees, was highlighted for its focus on hot topics happening in schools today. We have a number of exciting programs coming up and members are advised to attend.

Executive Director’s Report
The Property/Casualty Pool has performed well, ensuring continued support for our members. Additionally, an upcoming SET SEG Family Healthcare Center in Corunna was announced, which will be an exciting expansion to our already thriving healthcare options.

The Costliest Form of Cybercrime

October 11, 2021 Leave a comment Cyber Director's Desk Property/Casualty

Have you ever received a suspicious email from a contact you trust? Maybe it’s from a local print shop asking for immediate payment on an invoice for flyers for your district. It could be from your business manager requiring sign off on gift cards to employees. It could even be from a third-party contractor or district administrator asking for payment information to take care of construction costs.

Unfortunately, while those communications may appear innocent on the surface, the thing they all have in common is that none of them are actually from a trusted contact. Business email compromise (BEC) occurs when bad actors portray themselves as trusted parties. While not necessarily as prevalent as ransomware attacks, this form of cybercrime is the most financially costly to organizations, and one that has become increasingly common in K-12 institutions.

These fraudulent communications are often portrayed by the perpetrator as time-sensitive, asking for immediate financial action before the reader can accurately assess the validity of the request. While the short timeframe is part of what can make attacks successful, it’s also their downfall.

Taking time to scrutinize the email is all it takes to prevent a costly mistake.

Documents and videos in the SET SEG Cyber Security Resource Center describe, in detail, the dangers of phishing attacks from cybercriminals trying to steal your data and how to mitigate them. BEC threats follow some of the same rules.

Business email compromise attacks can be a costly hazard but taking the steps to educate employees on cyber security best practices is the key to protecting your district.

Participate in regular phishing training, like KnowBe4’s cyber awareness training.
Put strict policies in place, only allowing the use of district-managed devices for work-related tasks.

While cyberattacks are only becoming more common, SET SEG is committed to providing members with the greatest defense against such threats: knowledge.

If you haven’t already, visit our Cyber Security Resource Center to prepare your staff for whatever cyberthreats may come your way.

Are Your Properties Ready for the School Year?

August 9, 2021 Leave a comment Director's Desk Property/Casualty

With the school year swiftly approaching, it’s important to take care of annual maintenance and inspections before students start roaming your halls.

Thankfully, our Loss Control team has put together a number of useful documents to help your district prepare for the new semester. See below for a few critical things to look out for.

Playgrounds

Inspect playgrounds regularly and take care of required maintenance early to avoid any unnecessary hazards. Click here to review our playground checklist and conduct your own inspection.

FREE Member Benefit: Members of the Property/Casualty Pool may receive a playground inspection at no cost! Contact your Loss Control Consultant for more information.

Roofs

Check roofs regularly, but especially after storms, to ensure a small problem doesn’t turn into a big, costly project. Doing so at the beginning of the school year (or earlier!) ensures limited disruption of classroom activities. Consider reviewing our Preventing Roof Losses Checklist by clicking here.

Vacant Buildings

Are any buildings in your district not opening back up this school year? Any building with less than 31 percent occupancy is officially considered “vacant.” This excludes buildings that are under construction or undergoing renovations.

It is the member’s responsibility to notify the Pool of any changes in vacancy status as soon as the change occurs. Reach out to your Account Executive as soon as possible if any of your properties have officially become vacant.

Athletic Facilities

Fall sports are just around the corner! Be sure to inspect spectator stands for structural degradation and verify that they’re grounded. This would be a good time for indoor bleacher inspections as well. Additionally, make sure to keep lighting well maintained.

While facility inspections are a regular part of any property ownership, the oncoming addition of students into the mix adds an extra level of pressure. Please refer to our Building and Property Resource Center to view a collection of checklists and flyers that can help you prepare for another safe school year. As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to your Loss Control Consultant for guidance.

Winners Announced for Cyber Security Awareness Drawing

August 9, 2021 Leave a comment Director's Desk Property/Casualty

Winners have been announced, but you can still enter to win! If you’re a member of the Property/Casualty Pool and your district has invested in cyber training for staff and students, click here to enter your district for a chance to win $1,000!