Alabama school boards have their own liability program through Alabama Risk Management for Schools (ARMS). A self-funded, not-for-profit risk management program, ARMS offers school boards both savings and stability. The cost of ARMS coverage is among the most competitive available, and because ARMS exists only for school boards, it is available to serve its members from year to year.

ARMS was formed when school boards found it difficult to obtain adequate and reasonable insurance coverage. By pooling their resources through ARMS, school boards only pay for the cost of operating and administering their own risk management program. Earnings from the trust are used to provide members with the lowest possible premiums. Every dollar school boards save on liability costs is another dollar for the instructional program.

ARMS coverage includes errors and omissions and general liability, encompassing exposure resulting from operation of school facilities and programs.

ARMS is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of school board members, a superintendent and a school business official.

More detailed information about the coverage is provided in two brochures available from AASB. The brochures are titled Alabama Risk Management for Schools: Automobile Liability Program and Alabama Risk Management for Schools: General Liability/Errors and Omissions Liability Program.

Specific policy queries should be directed to AASB’s risk management consultant: Dr. Dwight Hester, Education Research Center, 2512 Wallace Blvd., Northport, AL 35476; (205) 333-9090.