MMSD officials present new driver-responsibility policy to govern fleet use and reduce claims

Madison Metropolitan School District transportation and risk-management staff presented a proposed Driver Responsibility policy at the Jan. 15 board workshop aiming to formalize district rules for fleet vehicle use and oversight.

Vanessa Cruz, assistant director of transportation and logistics, opened the presentation, and Kat Winger, the district business manager, laid out the rationale: "MMSD has not ever had a formal policy regarding our fleet and governing the use of our vehicles," Winger said, adding the new policy would set consistent expectations and strengthen oversight.

Staff said they worked with the district’s insurer and outside trainers. Winger noted the district "looked at some information that came from our insurance company" and that Liberty Mutual provided training; Samsara vehicle telematics are already used for monitoring. Winger also gave a claims snapshot: "we had 33 from 01/01/2023 until, 12/31/2025," a figure board members said they wanted verified and explained.

Board members asked about post-accident drug and alcohol testing, whether unions had been consulted and whether cameras or vehicle-location practices would change. Staff said the district has a reasonable-suspicion testing policy (employee handbook section 3.14) that would apply to post-accident situations and that initial conversations with unions have occurred. Insurer representatives helped shape the training and recommended consolidated, locked storage for some fleet vehicles when not in use.

What’s next: Staff will refine red-line language and return for a second read, providing clarifications requested by board members on enforcement, ticketing and reporting, and any needed cross-references to existing handbook sections.

Ending: No formal vote was taken. The presentation was recorded as a first read; staff will supply any additional documentation and policy language at a future meeting.