Board approves insurance renewal and moves forward on geothermal and renovation projects

David Livingston, who presented an insurance-market update, told the board that carriers in Kentucky have been tightening markets and that large liability payouts in the state are driving premium increases. He said the district could limit exposure if state legislation created damage caps for school districts, and he presented a renewal option with Obsidian (about a 4.9% increase over the prior policy) that included cyber coverage with a $2,500 deductible and wind/hail deductible structured per occurrence rather than per location.

"For every dollar that the insurance company has collected, they have paid out a dollar thirty-five in claims" over recent years in some segments, Livingston said, arguing that the market dynamics have contributed to double-digit increases in previous years and that new markets such as Obsidian could help stabilize premiums.

The board approved a motion to continue the district's insurance program with Houshins Insurance Group for liability, property, workers' compensation, fleet and umbrella coverage.

On facilities, Branson Construction provided updates: Madison Middle will return this fall to complete landscaping and warranty items; Waco Elementary is progressing with block and steel and roofing scheduled soon; geothermal well drilling at Whitehall is advancing and tie-ins will wait until after school ends. Tony Thomas and Jonathan Smith detailed design work for Kit Carson, including HVAC replacement, ADA-accessible renovations and a design-development budget line that referenced a $5,500,000 construction estimate in BG documents; the board approved BG-1 and associated BG documents for Kit Carson and other geothermal/HVAC projects in motions recorded at the meeting.

The board also approved a variety of procurement items: change orders for Waco, bus-lift purchase orders, Chromebook purchases, whiteboard installations, and food-service equipment for Silver Creek Elementary; those motions carried by voice vote.