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Agency report: 120 districts responded to optional-benefits survey; no conflicts found
Summary
Staff reported that 120 of roughly 295 school districts submitted optional-benefits reports (about 50% by district count); agency staff reviewed ~305 reported optional benefit instances across 19 types and found no conflicts with SEBB offerings, and staff will update the survey materials for fall 2026.
Agency staff presented the annual report on optional benefits that school districts may offer in addition to core SEBB coverage.
Missy Yates told the board that 120 out of about 295 school districts submitted the required optional-benefit reports — representing roughly 49% of subscriber organizations by district count but including several large districts. Staff cataloged approximately 305 reported optional-benefit instances across 19 enumerated types, such as accident and hospital indemnity, emergency transportation, gym memberships, legal-assistance plans, long-term care and pet insurance. "We had about 305 optional types of benefits being reported, 19 different types," Yates said.
Staff reported that after targeted follow-up with 18 districts to clarify ambiguous 'other' responses, they found no offerings that conflicted with SEBB plan products. Dave Eiswinger noted that the reporting requirement sits in education statute RCW 28A and that the agency's enforcement options are limited; staff suggested clarifying survey language to encourage higher participation and considering outreach to large nonresponding districts.
Action items: staff will update the optional-benefit survey for release in fall 2026, improve communications and encourage districts to confirm that they have no optional offerings if none apply.
