Risk Management

Risk Management is dedicated to ensuring a safe environment for students, staff, and our surrounding communities. Our mission is to foster an atmosphere that supports achievement by instilling confidence in the safety of our schools.

It's often said that everyone is a risk manager. This means that when we observe unsafe behavior, it’s crucial to intervene to prevent harm to ourselves or others. At the same time, it’s equally important to acknowledge and commend safe practices. Recognizing and reinforcing safe behavior helps ensure that we all go home at the end of the day as healthy as we arrive.

Please stay aware of your surroundings and the tools you are using. Make sure you are using the appropriate tools for your tasks and that they are in good working order.

If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Risk Management team. We are here to support you and ensure a safe environment for everyone.

About Us

About Us

Portland Public Schools' Risk Management department is responsible for overseeing our Workers' Compensation program and administering our Property, Auto, and Liability claims. In the 2016-17 school year, the Environmental Health and Safety team was integrated into the Risk Management office. Together, we ensure compliance with district policies, administrative directives, and state laws, including OHA and OSHA requirements.

Our expanded team plays a vital role in protecting the physical, financial, and human assets of Portland Public Schools. We are actively involved in reviewing safety and loss control procedures, ensuring insurance coverages, and managing risk through contracts to prevent claims and ensure a safe environment.

For detailed information about each of our programs, please refer to the relevant sections on our website.

To provide comprehensive support for our schools and the district, Risk Management frequently collaborates with several key administrative departments, including (but not limited to) Human Resources, Facilities and Asset Management (FAM), Security, Legal, Nutrition Services, Transportation and Finance. We work closely with staff to enhance safety awareness and practices, contributing to a secure and productive learning environment.