By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

The USD 489 Hays Board of Education and administration is waiting for the Kansas Insurance Commission to approve a proposed Kansas Education Risk Management Insurance Pool in hopes of saving money on district’s property/casualty insurance.

The plan was brought to the table by the district’s insurance broker, Salina-based Assurance Partners, at a special meeting Friday when the board voted 7-0 to pursue the pool along with 14 other school districts.

According to Superintendent Dean Katt, there are benefits to the insurance pool, including a more than $30,000 savings in premiums compared to the district’s current insurance provider, EMC Insurance Cos.

Katt said the pool offers other benefits, as well.

“It looks to me we would have some areas with more coverage than what we had previously the deductibles are lower in some areas,” Katt said.

Katt said the Kansas Insurance Commission has 30 days to approve the pool. He said the pool is not approved the district’s broker will look at other avenues.