Congratulations to the 2025 Fund Excellence Award Winners

The Fund is excited to recognize five members with the prestigious Excellence Award for their innovative solutions to risk management challenges. Winning members will receive $5,000 to apply toward their risk management programs. 

Winners are also invited to be recognized in front of their peers during Fund Members' Conference, April 26-28, 2026, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Round Rock, Texas.

Arlington ISD

Near-Miss Reporting Program

When workplace injuries were on the rise in Arlington ISD, staff investigated the facts and identified the root causes. It turned out that about 99% of incidents could have been prevented if employees reported the hazards. Arlington ISD's award-winning solution? The Near-Miss Reporting Program. 

The risk management team strategically placed posters across the district. The posters included a QR code linking to a simple form that made it easy for employees to report hazards that could cause injuries. The initiative has not only reduced injuries but also strengthened the district's safety culture. 

Key takeaway: Communication and follow-up are just as important as reporting. If employees take time to report a near miss, leadership must take corrective action. Otherwise, participation drops. 

Beeville ISD

Communitywide Emergency Drill Simulations & Reunification Planning

Strong risk management programs include a healthy dose of self-evaluation. The goal: Identify and address gaps before they cause incidents. That's what Beeville ISD did with its security program.

While the district had implemented foundational safety protocols, leadership recognized the need to bolster emergency response capabilities. The award-winning solutions was a communitywide emergency drill simulation program that included:

• Coordination with community partners such as law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, and hospitals
• Realistic, but age-appropriate, active-shooter drills
• Training to ensure staff and students know what to do during an emergency
• A formal process for reunifying students with their families

Beeville ISD's initiative positioned the district to better respond to emergencies and strengthened trust with the community.

Key takeaway: The district included student actors and situated gunshot systems to deliver a realistic drill and training experience.

Hawley ISD

Transportation Safety

In Illinois, a 6-year-old boy was left alone at a bus stop for an hour in freezing temperatures because the driver dropped him off early without notifying his parents. A similar situation played out in Maryland, where a student was put on the wrong bus and ended up miles from home.

With an eye toward protecting students and avoiding route delays, Hawley ISD purchased bus-tracking and student check-in software. 

The system empowers transportation staff to monitor bus locations in real time and address delays immediately. Drivers use the system to check students in and out. Parents and administrators receive digital confirmation that each student boarded the bus and safely arrived at their destination. 

Key takeaway: Technology has streamlined Hawley ISD's operations, but it's no substitute for human-to-human communication. The district launched a dedicated, after-hours phone line for parents to get answers and report concerns.

Irving ISD

Rebuilding Engagement and Safety Culture Through a Revamped Loss Control Committee

There is no template for managing risk in schools. Custodial staff face different hazards than teachers. The same goes for maintenance teams and grounds crews. The Irving ISD loss control committee harnesses employees' different perspectives to drive continuous improvement in the safety program.

The revamped committee includes representatives from HR, special education, maintenance, athletics, technology, the Fund, and more. With an influx of new members, meeting attendance increased by an eye-popping 200%. 

The committee's collaborative structure, open forums, and cross-departmental discussions provide insight into the unique safety challenges faced across the district. Powered by fresh insights and expertise, the committee and its work have informed updates to safety protocols and training initiatives.

Key takeaway: Structured facilitation—clear agendas, rotating facilitators, and open discussion—keep loss control committee meetings focused and productive.

Prosper ISD

Driven to Safety: A Proactive Approach to Accident Reduction

Policies and procedures should be part of every school's safety program. But genuine efforts to protect employees must be built on more than decrees like “employees shall” and “up to and including termination.” At Prosper ISD, workplace safety thrives because employees and leadership share responsibility for ensuring everyone goes home injury-free. 

Under the district’s award-winning initiative, employees draw on their experiences and observations to submit ideas for improving workplace safety. When an idea leads to measurable improvement, the employee is publicly recognized and awarded a gift card. 

Prosper ISD's safety incentive program empowers front-line staff to take an active role in preventing workplace injuries. The result: fewer injuries, improved morale, and stronger safety culture.

Key takeaway: Even small ideas, like repositioning equipment and improving bus-loading protocol, can move the needle in meaningful ways.