Monday, April 15
Workers’ Compensation 101
10-11 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 1 & 2
Workers’ compensation is a heavily regulated coverage that assigns important obligations to employers. If you’re newly responsible for reporting workplace injuries, filing state-mandated forms, or administering any other aspect of your organization’s workers’ compensation program, this session is for you. The session covers claim-reporting forms and deadlines, common compliance mistakes, tools for front-line supervisors, and risks to know.
Presenters:
Troy Kimmel, senior lecturer and meteorologist, The University of Texas at Austin
Guillermo Pallares, division director of strategic initiatives and operations support, TASB Risk Management Services
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Cybercrime: This Is Our Story
10-11 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 3 & 4
Like many other districts across the country, Lake Dallas ISD fell prey to a cyberattack. Learn first-hand how the district leveraged services and support provided through the Fund’s cybersecurity coverage to respond quickly, navigate the claims process, and ultimately enhance its cyberdefenses.
Presenters:
Wes Eversole, deputy superintendent/CFO and district staff, Lake Dallas ISD
Severe Weather and Property Coverage: An Imperfect Storm
10-11 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 7 & 8
When earthquakes shake Turkey, floods swallow India, hurricanes hammer the Gulf Coast, and hail pummels the Panhandle, school districts across Texas feel the impact. Last year, the world recorded 66 billion-dollar insured natural disasters, well above the annual average of 43. Those costs are among an imperfect storm of forces driving property coverage rates to historic highs for budget-strapped schools. TASB’s risk management data leader and an expert meteorologist will talk about global weather patterns and what they mean to your district.
Presenters:
Troy Kimmel, senior lecturer and meteorologist, The University of Texas at Austin
Guillermo Pallares, division director of strategic initiatives and operations support, TASB Risk Management Services
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Principles of Student Behavior Management
10-11 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 9 & 10
Student behavioral challenges don’t just disrupt learning. They also fuel staff burnout and turnover, especially when employees feel a lack of administrative support. Our expert will expose common myths about student behavior and break down best practices for identifying and addressing improvement opportunities.
Presenter:
Stacy Morgan, founder and CEO, Emergent Tree
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An Insider’s Look at School Security Mandates
11:15 a.m.-Noon
Kilimanjaro 1 & 2
The Texas School Safety Center oversees many school safety mandates and trains district staff throughout the state. This presentation includes a comprehensive overview of safety topics and explains how strategic district operations with multidisciplinary teams play a key role in maintaining safe, supportive learning environments. The session reviews behavioral threat assessments, multihazard emergency operations plans, school safety audits, and other mandates. Free training and resources available to districts will be highlighted.
Presenter:
Nate Turner, associate director of school safety and readiness, Texas School Safety Center
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Cybersecurity Coverage 101
11:15 a.m.-Noon
Kilimanjaro 3 & 4
Cyberattacks have the power to drain school budgets, disrupt student learning, and erode public trust. Attendees will take the pulse of the current cybersecurity coverage market, talk through lessons learned from recent attacks, and identify basic best practices that help schools protect sensitive data. Fund members with cybersecurity coverage will also learn about important responsibilities and expectations outlined in cyber coverage agreements.
Presenters:
Lucas Anderson, privacy and cyber risk consultant
Jennifer Jones, senior marketing consultant, TASB Risk Management Services
Facilities Management: How to Take the Long View (And Why You Should)
11:15 a.m.-Noon
Kilimanjaro 7 & 8
If a spring flood left multiple campuses uninhabitable, a tornado wiped out several facilities, or a power surge knocked your electri- cal system offline, your property coverage may be there to help you recover. But coverage alone is not a risk management strategy. An expert from TASB Facility Services will explain how to harness facilities data, develop long-range planning strategies, and proactively forecast capital investments to account for your district’s long-term needs.
Presenters:
Kim Shelly, property claims adjuster, TASB Risk Management Services
Jeff Clemons, division director, TASB Facility Services
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Unemployment Compensation 101
11:15 a.m.-Noon
Kilimanjaro 9 & 10
This introductory presentation will cover the basics of unemployment claims, including the Texas Workforce Commission’s process of reporting employee wages, best practices for unemployment claims, and issues on terminations, resignations, and potential RIFs.
Presenters:
Cynthia Andrus, assistant director of underwriting program administration
James Ezell, unemployment compensation attorney, TASB Risk Management Services
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Unlocking Behavioral Threat Assessments
2:15-3:15 p.m.
Kilimanjaro 1 & 2
In an era when ensuring the safety and well-being of students is paramount, educational institutions increasingly rely on behavioral threat assessment (BTA) teams to proactively identify and address potential threats. This session offers expert guidance on navigating BTA mandates, special education rules, and student privacy rules.
Presenter:
Denise Hays, shareholder, Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & Roalson P.C.
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Workers’ Compensation 201
2:15-3:15 p.m.
Kilimanjaro 3 & 4
When on-the-job injuries cause employees to miss work, school leaders are often faced with a tough decision: pay overtime or hire temporary help. But what if you had a third option that didn’t tap into the budget? In this session, attendees will learn how to control the costs associated with workplace injuries by investing in modified-duty assignments. Presenters will highlight best practices for coordinating injured employee leave and benefits and promoting productivity by taking advantage of the Fund’s telemedicine program.
Presenters:
Jennifer Ruedas, workers’ compensation claims manager
Adriana Talbot, workers’ compensation program consultant, TASB Risk Management Services
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Planning for a Rainy Day
2:15-3:15 p.m.
Kilimanjaro 7 & 8
Facility roofs are among every organization’s biggest budget line items. Maximizing the investment starts with choosing the right products for your needs, understanding the climate in your area, and understanding the importance of maintenance. This session will walk through the planning and procurement process and illustrate potential coverage implications of poor purchasing or maintenance decisions.
Presenters:
Robert Pina, property claims manager, TASB Risk Management Services
Josh Ziegler, executive building consultant, Cavalry Construction Company Inc.
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Security on a Budget & Effective Crisis Communication
2:15-3:15 p.m.
Kilimanjaro 9 & 10
School security is part preparation through planning and hardening and part response and recovery. Security grants, community calls to improve security, and the menu of tools available to you are increasing, yet financial support is scarce. This session identifies ways to navigate your options and make informed decisions that prioritize the safety and well-being of your school community. If an incident does occur, it’s equally important to respond with effective communication and to plan how to manage developing narratives in the immediate aftermath and during the community’s recovery.
Presenters:
Joanie Arrott, assistant director of risk solutions, TASB Risk Management Services
Jason Russell, president and founder, Secure Environment Consultants
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School Cybersecurity Report Card
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Kilimanjaro 1 & 2
Cybercrime is big business, and schools are top targets. In fact, reported attacks against the education sector exploded by 225% between 2018 and 2021, according to a federal report. Presenters will paint a picture of the current school cyberthreat landscape, identify successes and improvement opportunities, and share free and low-cost resources that can help strengthen cyberdefenses in your district.
Presenters:
Lucas Anderson, privacy and cyber risk consultant, TASB Risk Management Services
Todd Pauley, deputy chief information security officer, Texas Education Agency
Workplace Safety: Protecting Your People, Productivity, and Budget
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Kilimanjaro 3 & 4
When employees suffer on-the-job injuries, workers’ compensation covers their medical and income benefits. Other costs, such as hiring temporary help, repairing damaged equipment, and paying regulatory fines, come out of the employer’s pocket. This session will pull the curtain back on the most common and costly accidents and talk through safety fundamentals that help protect your people, productivity, and budget.
Presenters:
Javier Cano, risk solutions consultant, TASB Risk Management Services
Kevin O’Sadnick, senior risk control manager, Safety National
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House Bill 3: Covering Your Risks
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Kilimanjaro 7 & 8
In 2023, Texas lawmakers passed sweeping legislation designed to strengthen school security. One of the most high-profile mandates of House Bill 3 is the requirement that an armed security officer be present on every campus. Presenters will explain the unique workers’ compensation and liability risks associated with school-based law enforcement personnel and share tips for controlling your exposure.
Presenters:
Janina Flores, division director of risk solutions
Paul Taylor, division director of legal and regulatory affairs, TASB Risk Management Services
Future-Proofing Your Risk Management Program
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Kilimanjaro 9 & 10
Drones, electric buses, solar/wind turbines, and the Internet of Things have the power to boost school safety and efficiency, but they also intro- duce new exposures. If you want to future-proof your risk management program, don’t miss this session. Attendees will learn to recognize and address the risks associated with emerging technology in schools.
Presenters:
Joanie Arrott, assistant director of risk solutions, TASB Risk Management Services
Adam Care, client innovation and solutions leader, HSB
Tuesday, April 16
Understanding and Managing Leave
8:45-9:45 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 1 & 2
This session will guide attendees through responding to employee requests for leave, including special rules for assault and first responders. The presenter will highlight tips for investigating incidents, determining leave eligibility, and coordinating workers’ compensation income benefits.
Presenter:
April Mabry, assistant director, TASB HR Services
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Level Set: Fleet Risk Management Basics
8:45-9:45 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 3 & 4
If you’re paying more for auto coverage nowadays, you’re not alone. Rates have risen 11 consecutive years nationwide, according to the Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers. Find out how the global auto coverage market is impacting Fund members, get tips for assessing and managing fleet risk, and learn about unique protections afforded to schools by state law.
Presenters:
Rosa Brown, senior marketing consultant
Charles Hueter, risk solutions consultant, TASB Risk Management Services
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How to Be a Good Risk Partner
8:45-9:45 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 7 & 8
When Fund members work together to prevent workplace accidents, property damage, and other losses, all members succeed together. This session explores key information Fund underwriters collect to evaluate each member’s risk and exposure, how that information influences your coverage and costs, and how to leverage Fund expertise and services to become a good risk partner.
Presenters:
Paul Grim, managing senior underwriter
Adrian Pena, senior marketing consultant, TASB Risk Management Services
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Legal Liability 101
8:45-9:45 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 9 & 10
The Texas Tort Claims Act (TTCA) limits school districts’ liability for accidents or other events that cause property damage or personal injury. Presenters will break down the TTCA and explain when it protects your district and, as importantly, when it does not. This session will include a review of liability claim trends among Fund members, extracting lessons everyone can leverage to protect their organizations.
Presenters:
Marcy Barker, liability claims manager, TASB Risk Management Services
Meredith Prykryl Walker, shareholder, Walsh Gallegos Kyle Robinson & Roalson P.C.
Risk Management Member Challenges Panel
10-11 a.m.
Kilimanjaro 6
Nobody understands the risks facing your organization better than your peers. In the collaborative spirit of risk pooling, Fund members from various-sized school districts will share how they are tackling their top risk management challenges. This is your chance to glean practical solutions you can adapt to fit your schools’ unique needs.
Panelists:
Shannon Burns, director of risk management, East Central ISD
Bridget Chustz-Morrison, risk management director, Fort Bend ISD
Tracie Malovets, business manager, Rogers ISD
Lance Nauman, director of risk management, Katy ISD
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School-Based Law Enforcement Member Panel
11 a.m.-Noon
Kilimanjaro 6
School-based law enforcement (SBLE) is not new to Texas public schools, but it is rapidly evolving in response to recent tragedies and legislative mandates. Members will share their journeys in ensuring safe and secure learning environments in their districts, including how they are meeting the requirement for every campus to have an armed security officer. Panelists will share tips for managing operational challenges like purchasing firearms and other equipment as well as ensuring SBLE personnel meet training requirements.
Panelists:
Bill Avera, chief of police and emergency manager, Jacksonville ISD
Jo Ann Bludau, Ed.D., superintendent, Hallettsville ISD
Troy Burke, director of safety and security, Royse City ISD
Rick Goodrich, chief of safety and security, Boerne ISD
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