Colonial School District to switch voluntary benefits vendor, launches new wellness incentives

The HR committee on April 6 reviewed a planned vendor change for the district’s voluntary benefits and described recent employee wellness programming.

Andrea Griffith, identified in the meeting as the district benefit manager, said Colonial will transition from AFLAC to Symmetra effective July 1. Griffith said Symmetra’s short‑term disability, hospital and accident policies are “richer in quality and cheaper in price,” and that the district has streamlined voluntary benefit enrollment through the district benefits portal to boost participation. Griffith said AFLAC policies will terminate June 30 unless employees choose to arrange direct billing with AFLAC after that date.

Why it matters: the change is intended to reduce premiums for employees and to lower administrative cost by consolidating enrollment through the district portal. Griffith told the committee there are 55 employees currently enrolled in voluntary policies under the old vendor, noting employees may hold multiple AFLAC policies and that open enrollment will be the transition mechanism.

HR staff also recapped a New Year Steps wellness challenge that ran Jan. 12–March 8 and drew more than 200 participants. The contest awarded Apple Watches to the top five steppers and a $50 Amazon gift card to participants; organizers said on‑site office hours and building visits helped employees sign up and ask benefit questions. Staff said participation this year was among the highest in recent wellness efforts.

Next steps: HR will use the benefits portal during open enrollment for the transition, continue building in‑building office hours for benefit questions, and provide the board with enrollment and class‑type details on facility usage and benefit uptake if requested.