Fall 2023

Meet MSGIA's Newest Risk Management Associate
By Shawn Bubb, Director of Insurance Services, and Brenda Koch, Risk Management Associate

Recently, MTSBA and the MSGIA were fortunate to hire our newest Risk Management Associate. Brenda Koch was the K-12 Executive Director overseeing 17 schools in the Billings Public School district for the past 12 years.  Brenda was also a former superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach, spanning an impressive career of 28 years in the Montana K-12 public educational system. Read more

MTSBA Innovation Symposium – Keynote Speaker to Address Key Elements of SB 213
By Shawn Bubb, Director of Insurance Services

 MTSBA and the MSGIA often collaborate to develop the MTSBA Innovation Symposium held in early December.  This year, the Innovation Symposium will be on Tuesday, December 4 (full day), and a half day will take place on Wednesday, December 5.  On Monday night of that week, the MSGIA will be hosting a Monday Night Football watch party on the fourth floor of the MTSBA/MSGIA building in Helena at 863 Great Northern Blvd.  The Cincinnati Bengals will be playing the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the game starting at 6:15 pm.  The MSGIA will be providing a range of beverage options and football-style fare for dinner and dessert for all the conference participants in town that evening. Read more

Cybersecurity – Schools Continue to be a Primary Target of Cyber Criminals
By Matt Komac, MSGIA Assistant Director for Property & Liability Pool Operations

Cyberattacks against schools in the United States continue to be a common headline in the news.  One such story involved the recent report that when the Minneapolis Public Schools refused to pay a $1,000,000 ransom, over 300,000 files were dumped online, including medical records, discrimination complaints, social security numbers, and other personal student and staff information.  Due to the sensitive data stored and the lack of funding directed towards cybersecurity, the FBI reports that schools are now the most popular target of ransomware attacks. Read more

The Safety Education Initiative (S.E.I.)
By Annette Satterly, MSGIA Risk Management Associate, and Harry Cheff, MSGIA Risk Management Associate 

MSGIA is excited to announce the Safety Education Initiative (S.E.I) for our worker's compensation members. Using the Vector Solutions Safe Schools Program that we provide for you will allow the district to earn money for safety equipment.  Read more

Safely Conducting Disaster Drills
By Kevin Bartsch, Assistant Director Workers Compensation Pool Operations, and Brenda Koch, School Risk Manager

This edition of “In the Classroom” provides information, tips, and strategies to assist with following SB213, the 2023 Montana Senate Bill 213 that revised laws associated with school safety, as identified within 20-1-401; 20-9-236 and 52-2-211 MCA. 

20-1-401 MCA focuses on facilitating disaster drills, identifying disaster risks, and annually adopting school safety plans. As defined by law, “disaster” entails the occurrence of – or imminent threat of – damage, injury, or loss of life or property.  Conducting regular drills that teach safe responses to disasters is critical and mandatory.  Unfortunately, historical data shows that employees experience accidents and injuries during these types of drills.  Many of these injuries involve extensive, high-cost claims that impact your rates and the entire worker compensation program.  Against this backdrop, the information below is provided to help you conduct these drills as safely as possible and to minimize staff and student injury.  Read more