During a recent government meeting, officials discussed the renewal of insurance coverage for the district, addressing concerns over rising claims and premiums. The district's insurance broker, PCAT, was credited with helping secure a renewal without the need for a competitive bid, leveraging collective buying power from approximately 200 districts. However, the meeting revealed troubling statistics: over the past five years, the district has filed 177 claims, resulting in a loss ratio of 131.8, significantly above the acceptable threshold of 60.

The discussions highlighted that a major contributor to the high claims was a significant cybersecurity incident in June 2021, which alone accounted for a substantial portion of the claims. Without this incident, the loss ratio would have dropped to 89, still above the norm but indicating that the ransomware attack had a disproportionate impact on the overall figures. Officials acknowledged an increase in vehicle accidents, particularly involving school buses, which has compounded the issue.

Concerns were raised about the potential risk of losing insurance coverage if claims continue to rise. One board member noted that two other insurance companies declined to provide quotes due to the district's loss history, while another indicated that one company proposed a premium increase of over a million dollars. The board emphasized the need for a comprehensive safety plan to mitigate accidents, including potential incentives for safe driving and enhanced training for bus drivers.

In addition to insurance discussions, the board approved a memorandum of understanding with Texas A&M University, San Antonio, for college advisors, which aims to support students in their post-secondary education pursuits. The program has been well-received, and officials expressed interest in expanding partnerships to include other educational pathways.

The meeting also addressed a significant increase in costs related to materials testing for the Wagner High School track and field project. A 72% increase in the contract was attributed to additional testing requirements that were not included in the original scope of work. Board members expressed concern over the oversight and the implications of such cost escalations, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and accurate assessments in future contracts.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's ongoing challenges with insurance claims, safety measures, and project management, prompting calls for more strategic planning and oversight to ensure fiscal responsibility and student safety.