Union-Endicott wins safety award

On Board Online • June 12, 2017

Union-Endicott Central School District has been named the 2017 winner of the NYSSBA Pioneer Award, presented annually to a school district that has used creativity to improve the safety and health of employees.

The district has a strong relationship with Michele Casale, health and safety hygienist at Broome Tioga BOCES. Casale provides training to all staff on understanding hazard warnings and ways to avoid slips, trips and falls. The district facilities director works in conjunction with Casale on pesticides and asbestos training, lead testing, threat assessment training for office staff, and fire inspections. There is also a drill schedule which includes regular and secondary fire drills, lock-down drills, an evacuation drill, and a tabletop exercise, which involves key staff discussing simulated scenarios, and is used to assess school and district safety plans, policies and procedures.

Each school maintains a safety committee, and a district team includes the district engineer, facilities director, assistant superintendents, the head nurse, teachers and at least one school board member.

The district is insured for worker's compensation by PERMA, a NYSSBA business partner, which presented the award at a May 25 conference in Bolton Landing.