The Oregon School Boards Association is worried that school board members might become liable for huge damage awards, and it wants the legislature to do something to prevent this.

The association is concerned because of a recent Oregon Supreme Court decision in the case of Clarke v. Oregon Health Sciences University. The court found that the medical school could be sued for millions in damages for a mistake that left a boy permanently and severely disabled.

Testifying before a legislative committee, the association pointed out that mistakes leading to injuries can happen in schools too, especially in classes like P.E. or various forms of shop.

The association warned that the threat of personal liability in lawsuits could cut down on the number of people willing to serve on boards.

As a general rule, school boards are covered by liability insurance. But in light of the OHSU decision, an appropriate law change should be passed to make sure that individual members can't be held personally liable for anything that happens at school. (hh)