The crisis of the unhoused is no longer a hidden issue. We have seen an unprecedented proliferation of transient encampments with related trespassing, property damage, illicit and hazardous waste exposures. Law enforcement agencies are reporting increases in both violent and non-violent crimes attributable to the unhoused population.

Winter storms and low temperatures have the potential to create significant damage and financial loss to your facilities. Water and freezing damages are the second most frequently filed insurance claims in the U.S., accounting for an average of $13 billion in losses annually. While the average cost for a water damage claim is about $10,000, in public school buildings individual claims costs soar.

When many of our schools, offices and other places of business closed during the past two years and many employees either worked remotely, were furloughed or unemployed, the dynamics of employer-employee relationships shifted significantly. Millions of workers decided not to return to their pre-pandemic jobs while others struggle with challenges like child care or medical concerns precluding them from working. Employers have encountered great difficulty in filling positions needed to even operate marginally.

In thousands of communities throughout California and widespread areas of the nation, wildfires pose a serious risk to life and property. The danger is especially acute at the wildland urban interface (WUI) – where vegetative fuels and the built environment meet. As large cities and small towns grew, there was a lot of new construction in areas bordering wildlands. Tens of thousands of homes, school buildings, public facilities and businesses have been consumed by wildfire in just the last decade.

We live and work in unique times. The unprecedented circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic accompanied by unexpected factors in the employment market suggest employers take a fresh look at employee benefits and compensation data and consider strategic modifications. The role of benefits in total compensation carries considerable weight in attracting and retaining employees. In many cases, employers can offer benefits that employees may not be able to obtain as individuals or at an affordable cost.

In the twenty years since the September 11 attacks on the U.S., the proliferation of surveillance cameras is obvious. Such devices perform 24/7 watch over buildings, public areas and even our homes’ surroundings. When a criminal, accidental or otherwise suspicious incident occurs, law enforcement often seeks the video evidence collected by these numerous cameras to investigate what happened and apprehend those responsible. From a risk management standpoint, surveillance cameras have been useful in solving crimes, substantiating liability, and in deterring nefarious behavior.

Employer-sponsored benefits remain a foundation for employees’ financial security. The health and welfare benefits offered to active and retired employees provides strong protection against unexpected losses and expenses, and enjoy a comfortable life after their working years. Putting together a benefit package that gives employees the capability to match coverage to their specific situation assists you in hiring and keeping your staff.

The retirement programs for school districts in California have been one of the attractive benefits for enhancing your recruitment and retention strategies. In addition to the basic retirement plan available from CalSTRS and CalPERS, you may also offer eligible deferred compensation plans under Internal Revenue Code Sections 457(b) or 403(b). Compensation an employee defers, under a governmental 457 plan or a 403(b) tax sheltered annuity, and accumulated investment earnings are not taxed until the employee receives a distribution after their employment ends. Thus, such plans assist employees with both current and postretirement tax planning.

For the most part, kids are excited to be returning to school in person, to see their friends and teachers and participate in more “normal” activities again. But many students will also face some anxiety as they come back to campus in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. It will not be a complete return to the way things were in the past and there will be significant rules and restrictions. You may anticipate both you and your students will encounter some challenges.

In a recent Keenan Blog, we presented information on a ransomware attack that targeted school districts and other public agencies. The IT vendor serving nearly 50,000 customers quickly detected the scheme and only about 50 organizations were actually breached. But vulnerabilities to small businesses and local agencies became apparent. This Trending Topics focuses on the steps schools can take to prevent their data and systems from being compromised and the best practices for recovering from a breach by cyber criminals.