By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Accidents can happen any time during the school day or at a school-related activity. At Monday's board of education meeting, USD 428 renewed its accident insurance for Great Bend's pre-K through 12 students. Superintendent Khris Thexton said the coverage protects students from injuries suffered in any school-related activity.
"It's just nice to have that extra coverage, especially for some of our students who don't have insurance," he said. "That way it's helping them out so they can participate, whether it's an activity or athletics, or even just playing at recess."
Last year, USD 428 rejoined Hutchinson-based Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas (ESSDACK) for the first time in more than 20 years. Monday night, the board also voted to continue that contract for $18,545. Districts pay a flat fee and a fee based on the number of students and certified staff to ensure smaller districts do not pay more than larger ones.
"We found that their support and program offerings for our district were very well used," said Thexton. "There was a lot of involvement through ESSDACK, so I feel like we've gotten our money's worth out of their help."
The accident insurance provides various coverages, including a maximum of $2,500 for surgery per student accident, or up to $1,000 for physical therapy per accident. The district paid a total premium of $25,357 for the insurance.