After reviewing all needs of the School District the Superintendent shall implement a comprehensive risk management program.

I. The program shall include at a minimum:

A. Group health insurance coverage for officers, employees, and retirees of the school system.

B. All other group insurance coverage for employees and retirees approved as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

C. Worker’s compensation coverage for all employees.

D. Fire and extended coverage for all school facilities, pursuant to Section 1001.42, Florida Statutes.

E. Transportation/automobile liability and physical damage coverage pursuant to Section 1006.24 and 768.28, Florida Statutes.

F. Employee fidelity bonds pursuant to Section 1001.42, Florida Statutes, and State Board of Education Rules.

G. General liability coverage, pursuant to Section 768.28, Florida Statutes.

H. Errors and Omissions Coverage for alleged wrongful acts and omissions of School Board members while acting in the performance of their assigned duties and responsibilities.

Any of the insurance coverages specified above may be obtained through commercial insurance, self-insurance, or a combination thereof.

II. All insurance obtained from commercial carriers, except for fidelity bonds for officers of the Board and coverage not paid for by the district, shall be purchased on the basis of competitive quotations or direct negotiations whenever possible. Should commercial insurance be procured through the services of commissioned agents and/or brokers and such fees exceed the procurement threshold as defined in State Board of Education Rule 6A- 1.012(7), such services shall also be reviewed annually and competitively solicited no less than every five years.

III. All group life and health insurance programs shall be made available to retirees of the Sarasota County School District pursuant to Section 112.0801, Florida Statutes. All retirees shall pay the full cost of coverage.

IV. The District Risk Manager shall have discretionary authority to settle workers compensation, general liability, and auto liability claims that have a fiscal impact to the District up to twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) in value. Claims that have a fiscal impact to the District over twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000.00) through fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) shall be approved by the Superintendent or his/her designee. Claim settlements that have a fiscal impact to the District over fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) in value shall require School Board approval.

V. The District Risk Manager shall evaluate all general liability and auto liability claims on the basis of tort liability and negligence statutes and make the determination to settle or deny the claim. The Risk Manager shall also evaluate all workers compensation claims on the basis of Workers Compensation statutes and make the determination to settle or deny the claim. The Risk Manager may consult with a licensed claim administrator and/or attorney prior to making such determination. The School Board Members shall not be involved in the claim adjusting process, except to the extent they are required to vote on the final recommendation on claims above the value of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).