In March of this year, SELF celebrated
its 15th anniversary. The program started as a public education response
to difficulties that occurred in the commercial insurance industry during
the mid-1980's. The first member joined on March 1, 1986. At that time
the risk coverage that was required for school district activities, especially
at the excess level, in some cases was not available at any price. In
a short time, the program attracted nearly 80% of all California school
districts and it has maintained that membership at a fairly constant level
for this entire time period.
It now looks like the 2001/02 year will
be a rough period in the commercial insurance market. The advantages
of creating and maintaining the SELF program will once again be realized
by its members.
For the upcoming year, we have found
it necessary to increase our rates. Last year, due to competitive pressure,
the Board chose to defer the recommended rate increase. This year the
Board desires to raise the pool to a higher funding level, in line with
the estimated increased costs.
At our Board Strategic Planning Session
this year, Marylin Kelley, SELF's Insurance Consultant from Driver Risk
Services, made an excellent presentation forecasting current trends
in the insurance market. The Board authorized the production of a video
of this presentation that is now available to members for use in their
planning.
Details on this are contained in this
newsletter. Other articles will deal with funding the programs for the
future. We look forward to a challenging and productive year. We appreciate
the loyalty we have enjoyed from our many members.
John C. Wilson
Executive Director
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