Risk Management

Risk Management protects APS students, staff, facilities, and assets by identifying, mitigating, and managing potential risks. We oversee property and casualty claims, liability claims, fleet accidents, and workers’ compensation, and we coordinate with insurance carriers, legal counsel, and district departments to reduce exposure and prevent losses. 

All property damage, including incidents involving APS vehicles or facilities, should be reported to the Risk Management Department. You can submit claims via email to the Risk Management inbox at riskmanagement@atlanta.k12.ga.us including relevant details, photos, or documentation. 

APS is generally protected under sovereign immunity, which limits direct reimbursement for property damage. Claims involving third-party property should be reported immediately to Risk Management. We will review the claim and work with insurance as appropriate. 

All accidents involving APS vehicles, including school buses and maintenance vehicles, must be reported promptly: 

1. Notify your supervisor immediately. 

2. Complete the APS Fleet Accident Report form. 

3. Submit photos and witness statements if available. 

4. Risk Management will review, determine preventability, and coordinate with insurance. 

Driver qualification files (DQFs) document a driver’s eligibility, training, and compliance with federal and state regulations. Risk Management maintains these to ensure APS drivers meet safety standards and regulatory requirements. 

If an employee is injured on the job, they should: 

1. Notify their supervisor immediately. 
2. Report the injury to Risk Management within 24 hours. 
3. Follow guidance for medical treatment through approved providers. 
4. Work with Risk Management for return-to-work planning if needed. 

As a political subdivision of the State of Georgia, APS is protected under sovereign immunity, which limits the circumstances under which the district may be held financially liable. Risk Management ensures claims are handled within these legal parameters. 

No, you do not need an attorney to file a claim with Atlanta Public Schools. Claims can be submitted directly to the Risk Management Department using the appropriate reporting forms or online portal. Risk Management will review the claim, provide guidance on the process, and coordinate with insurance if applicable. 

If at any point you choose to consult an attorney, you may do so, but it is not required to initiate or process a claim with APS. 

Yes, claims must be reported to Atlanta Public Schools’ Risk Management Department within a reasonable time after the incident occurs. While APS does not require an attorney to file a claim, Georgia law sets certain limits on how long after an incident a claim may be submitted. To ensure your claim is considered, it is recommended that you notify Risk Management as soon as possible, ideally within 30 days of the incident. 

Reporting promptly allows the district to investigate effectively, gather necessary documentation, and provide timely resolution. 

With a few very limited exceptions only related to motor vehicle accidents, Atlanta Public Schools is self-insured for liability exposures and does not maintain a separate liability insurance carrier.

• Adrian Williams – Employee Benefits & Risk Management Director 

• Dennis White – Assistant Director of Risk Management (Workers’ Compensation) 

• Garolyn Fraser - Workers' Compensation Analyst  

• Melisa Reese – Workers’ Compensation Specialist 

• Enrique Passmore – Risk Management Manager of Property & Causality  

• Jonathan Carr – Risk Management Analyst, Property & Causality