Alaska Public Risk Alliance
As Alaska school board members and administrators prepare for the AASB Annual Conference, this is a timely moment for school leaders to review winter protections and consider how shared expertise can strengthen their districts’ preparedness.
That is the idea behind the Alaska Public Risk Alliance (APRA). By pooling resources, experience, and risk, Alaska’s public entities can protect their facilities and communities in ways that would be difficult to accomplish individually.
Why Pooling Matters
Risk pooling is straightforward: public entities contribute to a shared program that pays covered claims and collectively purchases excess coverage for larger losses. Because the program has no profit motive, it can focus on controlling costs, preventing losses, and tailoring coverage and services to the risks Alaska’s public entities actually face.
In Alaska, extreme weather, remote locations, aging infrastructure, and limited access to contractors can delay both the discovery and repair of a problem. As a result, a relatively small maintenance issue can quickly become a significant loss.
Pooling helps members prevent losses as well as share risk. It gives public entities access to risk-management expertise, training, and loss-control resources that would be difficult to maintain individually.
Winter Break Is a High-Risk Period
For schools, one risk deserves particular attention as winter approaches: freeze-ups and water damage.
During winter break, buildings that are normally occupied every day may sit largely vacant. If a boiler fails, a thermostat malfunctions, or a pipe freezes, the problem may go unnoticed for hours or days. A minor maintenance issue can then become extensive water damage, leading to costly repairs and disrupting the return of students and staff.
Fortunately, many of these losses can be prevented or reduced with some basic preparation.
Keep the heat on – Maintain interior temperatures of at least 55°F. Check heating systems and fuel supplies before the break and make sure someone verifies that systems continue operating while buildings are vacant.
Protect plumbing – Pay particular attention to pipes along exterior walls, crawl spaces, and other areas that may not receive adequate heat. Staff should also know where the main water shut-offs are located and how to access them quickly.
Check the building regularly – Assign someone to walk through vacant buildings and look for temperature changes, frost, unusual sounds, leaks, or water stains. Documenting those visits is a good practice as well.
Keep safety systems operating – Confirm that fire alarms and sprinkler systems remain active and monitored, and keep exterior drainage clear by checking roofs, gutters, and downspouts for conditions that could contribute to ice buildup or water intrusion.
If a building check reveals a loss of heat, leaking water, or another warning sign, follow the district’s emergency procedures immediately: notify the designated facilities contact, shut off water when it is safe to do so, document visible conditions, and contact the appropriate response resources. A current call list and clearly assigned authority can save valuable time when every minute matters.
How APRA Can Help
APRA’s role is not limited to responding after a claim occurs. We would much rather help members prevent the loss in the first place.
Through APRA, members can draw on Risk Management Consultants to identify building vulnerabilities, strengthen safety practices, train staff, and support loss-control efforts. This is a central benefit of pooling: members share not only the financial impact of risk, but also the knowledge and resources needed to reduce it.
Members do not need to wait for a claim to ask for help. A conversation with an APRA Risk Management Consultant can help a district review winter procedures, identify building-specific concerns, and prioritize practical improvements before temperatures drop.
School board members and administrators can test their winter-break readiness with four questions: Who is responsible for checking each building? How often will checks occur? How will the district confirm that heat is being maintained? Do designated staff know where the main water shut-offs are and how to reach them quickly?
A little preparation can prevent extensive water damage, costly repairs, and disruption when students and staff return.
If you are attending the Annual Conference, connect with APRA to discuss your district’s winter preparations, building-check schedule, and loss-control needs. We are always happy to work together to keep Alaska’s schools safe, warm, and ready for students this winter.
The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Association of Alaska School Boards. AASB welcomes diverse perspectives and civil discourse. To submit a Guest Column for consideration, see our Guest Column Guidelines and send your 400-1000 word submission to the AASB Communications Team.