The Daviess County Public Schools district was recognized by the Kentucky Department of Education at the second annual Continuous Improvement Summit for creating innovative new frameworks for enhancing organizational effectiveness. The “Best Practices” award includes a $500 reward to use in making additional improvements.
The DCPS district and school Safety Committees were honored for its achievements and progress toward goals of providing a safe and healthy environment for students; ensuring the well-being staff members; and using public monies and resources in the most efficient ways possible in order to focus on our district mission of educating students.
As a direct result of reducing lost-time injuries among staff members, the DCPS district earned a reduction of $78,288 in reduced workers compensation premiums – money that now can be directed on teaching and learning.
DCPS has organized and implemented a successful procedure for identifying and responding to conditions that may lead to accidents or injuries. Incidents are reported and reviewed by district and school committees. When warranted, equipment, facilities and procedures are investigated by appropriate supervisors. Safety training, traditionally limited to members of the maintenance and transportation departments, has now been expanded to include all staff members in appropriate areas. In addition, equipment and facilities are routinely inspected by members of the DCPS staff who are certified in those areas of expertise.
The district-level Safety Committee meets every month to review accident reports, identify trends, develop training and awareness programs and communicate directly with our district’s loss control specialists. School-level Safety Committees meet three times a year, reviewing accident reports and focusing on emergency preparedness and school security.
Matt Robbins, assistant superintendent for finance and operations and chairman of the district Safety Committee, accepted the award on behalf of DCPS. “We are pleased to receive the recognition for achieving some big goals for us,” Robbins said. “The savings of $78,288 – the equivalent of two teaching positions – is significant. Our greater goals include a safer workplace for our students and staff, improved safety culture, and fewer lost time accidents, and reaching these goals allows us to accomplish our mission of educating students at a greater level. Literally all our employees share in this recognition because it takes all of us to make our schools a safe place for maximum student learning to occur. This is one of several intentional efforts on our part to control costs simply by working together for improvement. It is an honor to be recognized by KDE as a Best Practice.”
Nine schools in Kentucky were also recognized at the Sept. 23 event; DCPS was the only district honored.
For more information or to schedule interviews, contact Lora Wimsatt, DCPS Public Information Officer, at 270-852-7000 ext. 215 or [email protected] or visit http://www.lanereport.com/39103/2014/09/kentucky-schools-recognized-for-best-practices/
