Department of Risk Management

Mission Statement

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WCPSS Approved Charter Bus Service Providers (2007-08) (56 KB Acrobat file, Updated 02/13/2008)

It is the mission of the Risk Management Program to provide: A Safe, Orderly & Secure Work, Educational & Recreational Environment; to Develop & Maintain Highly Trained Personnel; to Assist Personnel, Parents, & Community in the Development of a Safe Environment in and Adjacent to Schools.

What is the Risk Management Department?

Risk Management can be defined as the process of planning for the negative consequences of any decision, process or action by using whatever means feasible to control the chance of financial loss.

The Department of Risk Management is concerned with the liability exposures that are around the district and how to minimize or eliminate them. Risk Management is also concerned with the process of providing the financial protection to the District whenever unexpected loss events occur.

The Risk Management Department manages and processes claims filed against the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS). This includes the major exposures to loss i.e., general liability, professional liability, property, automobile, and workers' compensation. In addition, risk management is concerned with loss control by preventing, making less sever, and speeding recovery form accidental losses through training, orientations, and work site interventions.

The System is committed to reducing accidents in every area of operations. The Risk Management Department manages this effort.

The Risk Management Department administers the various property and casualty insurance programs within the WCPSS. The Risk Management Department maintains a district-wide hard copy of all incidents and accidents that are reported for a minimum of 3 years. Workers' Compensation maintains a district-wide database on all workers' compensation injuries or illnesses.

The Risk Management program also works with Human Resources in the guidance and administration of the Workers' Compensation Program. This program strives to assist employees injured on the job with recovery and, if possible, returns to work.

Risk Management & Safety Assigned Responsibilities

The following chart reflects the current Risk Management Department Staff, their respective phone number and their responsibilities. Staff members in Human Resources, and Environmental Health & Safety with risk management related responsibilities are included as follows:

Name	Assigned Responsibilities	Phone Number	Email Address
Risk Management
FAX		850-1915
Curtis Grogan Director	Risk Management Program administration Administers the Insurance Fund Purchases insurance Provides advice and answer questions on Risk Management related issues Provides training on Risk Management programs Reviews contracts to minimize contractually assumed risks Acts as consultant to the schools and nonschools on facility & operational issues	919-850-1765
Robert (Robin Pace) Safety Officer	Handles school facility & operational safety issues Evaluates the need for and provides safety training Evaluates OSHA compliance issues Provides ergonomics information and workstations evaluations Conducts investigation of accident & incidents on owned & leased property. Reviews accident/incident reports	919-856-8141 Fax: 919-856-8107
Robin Langley Secretary	Provides administrative support to risk management department Receives and screens all Student /Visitor Accident Reports referring severe & serious injuries to director Processes motor vehicle (non yellow bus & their service vehicles) accident claims Maintains accurate schedule of owned & leased vehicles Maintains accurate schedule of regular drivers of owned & leased vehicles Setup & maintain general liability claim files Processes requests for Certificates of Insurance Processes claims for lost or stolen property Processes Risk Management and claims checks and payments	919-850-1808 Fax: 919-850-1915
Human Resources
Kimberly Hall Claims Specialist	Manages all WCPSS Unemployment & Workers' Compensation & Unemployment claims Processes state, local & special funded employees unemployment & workers' compensation claims Assist in providing unemployment & workers' compensation related training	919-850-1689 Fax: 854-1747
Environmental Health & Safety
Sneha Amin Director	Environmental Health & Safety Program Administration Provides advice and answer questions on Environmental Health & Safety related issues Provides training on Environmental Programs Acts as consultant to the schools and non-schools on environmental facility & operational issues	919-856-8284 Fax: 919-508-0831
Michael Wiltzius PM-ADA/HAZMAT	Handles environmental related services, relating to ADA, Hazardous Materials	919-856-2897
Donald Davis PM-AHERA	Asbestos and other air borne pollutant	919-664-5796
Doug Burd Facility Safety Officer	Handles Auxiliary Services safety issues (Maintenance & Operations, Planning & Construction, Child Nutrition, Transportation) Handles contractor safety issues	919-664-7776

Commercial General and Professional Liability Insurance

Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) maintains liability insurance to protect the Board of Education, the system and system employees from liability incurred in the performance of their duties (Board Policy 8710). A Student/Visitor Accident Report (Form 2903) must be completed promptly whenever a student, volunteer, or visitor is injured at school, on a field trip, on a school bus, or during a school sponsored activity. Medical expense coverage for students is excluded on commercial general liability policy (See Student Accident/Scholastic Insurance below). The WCPSS is liable for damage or injury as a result of the "negligent acts" (Commercial General Liability) or "wrongful acts" (Professional Liability) of administrators, teachers, and/or employees.

Property Insurance (Real and Personal Property)

Losses under this coverage are subject to a $5,000.00 deductible per event for fire, lightning, extended coverage (wind, hail, aircraft, riot & civil commotion, vehicles, explosion, and smoke). In addition, includes all other perils (such as collapse, theft, vandalism, transit, and water damage from burst pipe) subject to a $2,000 deductible per event. Any property loss should be reported to the risk management office as soon as possible in order to facilitate the loss investigation and claims processing. Any theft or vandalism related to these items must be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency. A law enforcement agency report must accompany any report of loss in order to file the claim with the insurance company. Whenever possible, every effort should be made to protect exposed property until WCPSS resources can get to the scene with assistance.

Automobile Insurance

(Activity Bus, Driver Education, Utility Vehicle Insurance)

All WCPSS vehicles, except yellow school buses, are insured for liability, property damage, and physical damage through a commercial insurance policy. All incidents or accidents involving WCPSS vehicles should be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately, and to the risk management office as soon as possible by using WCPSS VEHICLE ACCIDENT REPORT (FORM 1097). If you are involved in an accident, please attempt to obtain the name, telephone number, address, and license number of any witnesses as well as the insurance exchange information provided by law enforcement.

Workers' Compensation Coverage

All claims for work-related injury or illness to Wake County Public School Employees are processed by contract with Key Risk Management Services, Inc. For questions or concerns related to workers' compensation claims contact Workers' Compensation Specialist (850-1689).

School Buses and Their Service Vehicles (Yellow)

North Carolina Tort Law covers accidents involving school buses and their related service vehicles, and the Office of Attorney General's Office handles claims. These claims should be referred to the respective WCPSS Transportation Manager. For question or concerns about school bus related issues contact -Geographical Area Transportation Manager (Transportation Main #856-8050).

Student Accident/Scholastic Insurance

The Wake County Public School system (WCPSS) does not carry medical insurance to cover students' accidental injuries or illnesses. A voluntary student accident insurance policy is available for purchase on an individual basis and covers accidental injuries that occur during school-sponsored activities. Application and purchase information can be obtained from your child's school. Refer to Board policy 6720 that addresses the insurance requirements for participating in specified activities, except as indicated below, the coverage is provided on a self-pay basis.

Student Dental Insurance

The Delta Dental Plan of North Carolina has been approved for this year. Mail-in enrollment forms will be available on-line through Delta Dental of North Carolina's website www.accidenttoothfairy.com. Cost is $7.00 per enrollee. Parents can enroll students at any time during the school year. Questions from you or parents should be directed to Gooche Strickland at telephone number (424-1035 ext. 1104). Also, refer to Voluntary Student Accident Insurance Enrollment Application for alternative dental insurance coverage through The Young Group, Inc at 846-9798.

Risk Assessment and Control

The risk management office is here to assist you with any issue involving safety, chemical & toxic material handling, emergency & contingency plan, timely & complete investigation of losses, periodically follow-up on all claims, safety committee activities, and any other type of hazards from loss exposures associated with the facilities & operations of the Wake County Public Schools. If, you have safety issues that have not been resolved, give us a call or drop us an email, we can probably help.

If you think that your staff or group would benefit from a briefing or any type of risk management, insurance, or safety, we make house calls. If you have concerns and want to remain anonymous, you can call the WCPSS Safety Hotline at 713-0588. Risk Management Safety Officer will monitor the "Hotline" telephone number. Your confidentially is guaranteed.