A study of risk management practices in K--12 Kansas school districts

摘要

This study focused on Kansas school districts and the risk management practices of the districts. A three-part survey was mailed to all of the Kansas school districts. The questionnaire asked about demographical information, risk management programs in the district, and the risk areas addressed by the school districts. The risk areas included transportation of students to and from school and school-sponsored activities; student injury; hazardous waste; theft, fire and weather; food-borne illnesses; personnel injury; blood-borne pathogens; student and staff injuries caused by violent acts; and asbestos and lead exposure. The risk management strategies that were compared in this study were purchasing of insurance, developing policies, training of students and personnel, purchasing of specific equipment, hiring of additional personnel, contracting for services, and elimination of activities.;Superintendents were asked to complete the survey. Of the 303 Kansas school districts, 90 school districts responded to the survey. All geographical locations and student populations were represented in the self-selected sample of respondents. The findings show that school districts rarely have risk management programs. The study also found that the most frequently used risk management strategy is purchasing of insurance. The risk area involving weather, theft, and fire was the most common risk addressed in school districts.