Back-to-School Tips from the Experts

The foundation for a successful school year is built on planning across budgets, staffing, lesson plans, and operations. But even the strongest plans can be derailed by bus accidents, workplace injuries, cyberattacks, and other incidents. Start the school year prepared by following these tips, courtesy of the Fund experts who serve you.

Commit to an Accident Prevention Plan

Tips shared by Jesse Gonzales, Risk Solutions Consultant

An accident prevention plan provides a comprehensive framework for maintaining safe places to work and learn. On paper, APP can be an abstract concept. Here's what your plan might look like in the context of preventing workplace injuries:

• Practice good housekeeping to prevent slips, trips, and falls, the leading cause of workplace accidents.
• Train employees to lift with their legs, not their backs, and get help with heavy loads.
• Identify and correct the root causes of near misses.

Learn more: Make Safety the First Lesson of the School Year

Comply with Workers' Compensation Regulations

Tips shared by Cynthia Rocha, School Risk Management Consultant

Workplace injuries too often undermine productivity, budgets, and employee morale. Regionally based TASB risk solutions consultants have the expertise to help Fund members prevent workplace accidents. But when injuries do happen, you can streamline the claims process and comply with regulations by following five simple tips:

1. Update required workers' compensation postings.
2. Review your injury-reporting process for improvement opportunities.
3. Make sure employees know when and how to report injuries.
4. Commit to a return-to-work program.
5. Identify and address claims trends from last year.

Learn more: 5 Workers' Compensation Tasks to Complete Now

Level Up Emergency Preparedness

Tips shared by Andy Michael, School Safety & Security Consultant

Principals and facility leaders should conduct detailed walkthroughs to identify hazards, test safety systems, and prepare for mandatory drills:

• Are all entry doors, windows, and gates functioning and secured?
• Are security cameras, PA systems, and alarms operational?
• Are emergency posters (Standard Response Protocol charts, evacuation maps) up-to-date and clearly displayed?
• Are visitor check-in procedures visible, consistent, and enforced?
• Have all TEA-required drills been scheduled and communicated?

Learn more: Campus Walkthroughs and First-Week Drills that Matter

Defend Against Early-Year Cyberattacks

Tips shared by Ana Luevano, Privacy & Cyber Risk Consultant

Cybercriminals often take advantage of new accounts, devices, and users flooding the network when the school year starts. Many breaches are caused by vendor vulnerabilities rather than the district’s own systems:

• Maintain a district-wide inventory of all apps and platforms used by staff and students.
• Require vendors to disclose how they store, encrypt, and protect district data.
• Select vendors with SOC2 independent security certifications.
• Ensure Data Privacy Agreements include breach notification timelines, limited access to student data, strong security controls.

Learn more: Cyber Planning for the New School Year

Update your Fund Program Contacts

Tips shared by Cynthia Andrus, Assistant Director of Underwriting Program Administration

Fund program contacts receive communications about renewal proposals, renewal questionnaires, Fund systems/applications, unemployment compensation wage submission reminders, and no-cost services just for members. Update your program contacts to ensure you receive the information you need this school year.

Bookmark Your Fund Risk Dashboard

Tips shared by Rosa Brown, Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships

Your personalized risk dashboard at tasbrmf.org is a hub for information and resources designed to streamline your business with the Fund. 

Visit the risk dashboard to:

• Reach out to your designated Fund contacts for guidance on coverage, claims, risk solutions, and other topics.
• Access your Fund coverage agreements.
• Visit the Data Center for secure access to detailed claims reports, GASB documentation, and other coverage program resources.
• Update your vehicle and property inventory to ensure adequate Fund program coverage and services.

Pro tip: If you need certificate of coverage for fall events, reach out to your regionally based marketing consultant.

Fund members share a commitment to managing risk and succeeding together. Follow these tips to set the foundation for a safe school year. If you need more expertise or resources, the Fund is here to support you.