Seattle Public Schools

1731 Board Member Compensation, Expenses, and Insurance

Compensation

Each Board Director may receive compensation of $50.00 per day for attending Board meetings and performing other services on behalf of the District, not to exceed the $4,800.00 annual maximum provided by state law. This compensation will come from locally collected excess levy funds available for that purpose, and does not cause the state to incur any present or future funding obligation.

Any Director may waive all or any portion of their compensation for any month or months during their term of office, by a written waiver filed with the District. The waiver may be filed any time after the Director’s election and before the date on which the compensation would otherwise be paid. The waiver shall specify the month or period of months for which it is made.

Unless a Director has waived compensation, each Director will submit a monthly claim which verifies the nature and amount of approved activities for which compensation is claimed during the month. A Director is only eligible to make one compensation claim for a given day.

Expenses

The actual expenses of Board Directors incurred traveling to and from and attending Board meetings may be paid.

The expenses of Directors who attend conferences or additional meetings as representatives of the District may be paid. Such expenses for conferences may be paid in advance. Geographically based per diems to reimburse for travel-related expenses including meals, taxes, tips, and incidental expenses may be paid while the Director is engaged in District business or other approved travel.

Self-Paid Individual Insurance Benefits

An individual Board Director may participate at their own cost in any of the personal liability, life, health, health care, accident, disability, salary protection or other form of insurance made available to District staff if plan sponsors permit such participation.

WAC 182-31-200 provides applicable timelines and other requirements for Director enrollment in health plans offered by the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB) including that newly elected or appointed Directors must submit required forms for receipt by SEBB within 60 days of their elected or appointed term beginning.

District Insurance

The District shall maintain sufficient insurance to protect the Board and its individual members against liability arising from actions of the Board or its individual members while each is acting on behalf of the district and within their authority as a Board member.


Superintendent Procedure:

Policy Cross References:

  • 6212 – Procurement Cards
  • 6213 – Reimbursement for Travel Expenses
  • 6530 – Insurance

Previous Policies:

  • 1732 – Board Member Insurance
  • B51.00 – Per Diem Compensation of Directors
  • G64.00 – Liability Protection for Board Directors and Non Represented Employees

Legal References:

  • RCW 4.24.470 Liability of officials and members of governing body of public agency—Definitions.
  • RCW 4.96.010 Tortious conduct of political subdivision—Liability for damage.
  • RCW 28A.320.050 Reimbursement of expenses of directors, other school representatives, and the superintendent candidates—Advancing anticipated expenses.
  • RCW 28A.320.060 Officers, employees or agents of school districts or educational service districts, insurance to protect and hold personally harmless.
  • RCW 28A.343.400 Directors—Compensation—Waiver.
  • RCW 28A.400.350 Liability, life, health, health care, accident, disability and salary insurance authorized—Premiums.
  • RCW 28A.400.360 Liability insurance for officials and employees authorized.
  • RCW 42.24.120 Advancements for travel expenses—Municipal corporation or political subdivision officers and employees.
  • WAC 182-31-200 School board members participation requirements.
  • WAC 182-30-040 Premium payments and premium refunds.
  • WAC 182-31-140 Who are eligible dependents?

Management Resources:

  • WSSDA Policy & Legal News, February 2013

Last Board Review:

  • July 2, 2025

Revisions:

  • July 2, 2025
  • March 27, 2025 (Administrative Update per Policy No. 1310)
  • August 13, 2013

Adopted by the Board:

  • June 1, 2011