IRVING, Texas — Irving Independent School District has earned a 2026 Fund Excellence Award for its revamped Loss Control Committee initiative, a district-wide safety program credited with significantly reducing workplace injuries and workers’ compensation costs. The award was given by the TASB Risk Fund.
District officials said the committee was redesigned to bring together employees from a wide range of departments to better identify workplace hazards and improve safety practices across the district.
The committee includes representatives from:
- Human resources
- Special education
- Maintenance
- Athletics
- Technology
- Wellness
- Transportation
- Student nutrition
- Safety and security
According to Irving ISD, the expanded participation led to meeting attendance increasing by 200%, while workers’ compensation claim costs dropped approximately 50% compared to the previous year.
“There is no template for managing risk in schools,” officials said, noting that custodians, teachers, grounds crews, maintenance staff, and other employees all face different workplace challenges.
Behind the Curtain
The committee meets quarterly for two-hour sessions where members review district loss data, analyze trends, discuss safety concerns, and develop prevention strategies.
One of the committee’s largest changes was implementing a 24/7 electronic injury reporting system available in both English and Spanish.
Ashly Witek said the reporting system automatically generates prescription cards and required state claim forms, helping employees receive care more quickly while allowing the district to identify hazards faster.
“A custodial employee submitted a form at two in the morning after receiving an electrical shock while turning off the lights,” Witek said. “By the next morning, we had identified and corrected the issue district-wide. Previously, that would have taken days.”
District officials said the committee also uses claims history reports from the Fund Data Center to monitor trends by department, job type, and claim cost.
Marco Hinojosa said the data allows departments to compare performance and identify successful safety practices.
“We can compare our accident numbers with other departments and learn from what others are doing well,” Hinojosa said. “When we see the graphs and our numbers going down, it shows our work is making a difference.”
Parents, Caregivers, Community Members
District leaders said the committee’s cross-department structure has strengthened communication and improved coordination during both routine operations and emergency situations.
Kevin Dodge said the collaborative approach helps departments identify gaps more quickly.
“Departments are interconnected, and gaps can be quickly identified and addressed when everyone's in the room together,” Dodge said. “Whether you’re planning for graduation or responding to an incident, aligning transportation, facilities, nursing, and security makes all the difference.”
Olga Rosenberger said the committee reinforces the idea that employee safety impacts the entire school community.
“What motivates us is caring for our employees,” Rosenberger said. “They're parents, community members, and caregivers to our students. Their safety and wellbeing matter.”
