6530 – Insurance
All insurance programs of the NWESD 189 will be managed as part of the NWESD 189’s risk management program which provides protection and insurance for liability of board members, employees, and agents of the NWESD 189 while in performance of official duties for damages to persons or property.
Liability Insurance
The NWESD 189 shall maintain sufficient liability insurance to protect it against claims for the negligent or wrongful acts of its staff or agents. The amount and terms of such insurance protection shall be reviewed annually as part of the NWESD 189’s risk management program.
The Board may hold individual Board members, administrators, staff, or agents of the NWESD 189 harmless and defend them from any financial loss, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of any act or failure to act, provided that at the time of the act or omission complained of the individual so indemnified was acting within the scope of his/her responsibilities or employment and in compliance with the policies and procedures of the NWESD 189.
A member of the Board of Directors or a Superintendent of any school district is immune from civil liability for damages for any discretionary decision or failure to make a discretionary decision within his or her official capacity. However, the NWESD 189 may be held liable for damages stemming from the tortuous conduct of past or present officers, employees, or volunteers performing their duties in good faith, including Board members and Superintendent. The Superintendent shall obtain errors and omissions insurance in the amounts he/she deems appropriate.
Property Damage Insurance
The NWESD 189 shall maintain a comprehensive insurance program that shall provide adequate coverage, as determined by the Board, in the event of loss or damage to school buildings and/or equipment, including motor vehicles. Employees are expected to take reasonable precautions for the care and safety of NWESD 189 equipment with which they have been entrusted and may be held responsible for damages.
Staff Insurance
The NWESD 189 shall develop and maintain an effective program of insurance for its employees. Such programs may include, but are not limited to, unemployment compensation, industrial accident and/or injury insurance, liability, and medical insurance.
The NWESD 189 may make available medical, dental, vision, liability, life, accident, disability, and salary protection or insurance, direct agreements as defined in chapter 48.150 RCW, or any one of, or a combination of these types of insurance, and may contribute all or part of the cost of such insurance to the extent permitted by law.
Unemployment Insurance
The NWESD 189 shall participate in the program lawfully available for fulfilling its unemployment insurance obligation that is not financially and administratively efficient.
Employees eligible shall be provided with the unemployment benefits to which they are entitled. Employees that leave work voluntarily will be ineligible to receive unemployment benefits unless they can show good cause for leaving. The NWESD 189 shall maintain the records required by the State Employment Security Department and retain them for not less than four (4) years.
Workers’ Compensation
The NWESD 189 is insured through the State of Washington to provide workers’ compensation (industrial insurance) coverage to employees who sustain job-related injuries and occupational illnesses. If their claim is accepted, employees are protected in two ways:
- Medical costs resulting from job-related injuries or illnesses are paid; and
- Injured employees are paid a partial wage replacement while off work due to a job-related injury or illness when certified as unable to work by their doctor.
When an employee is injured on the job and is unable to perform his or her duties as a result of an on-the-job injury or occupational illness and is certified off work by a doctor, the employee may elect to use available paid leave during the time of absence up to 100% of the employee’s regular salary leave in addition to the temporary total disability (time-loss) payments from the Department of Labor and Industries.
The NWESD 189 will deal fairly with employees and give equal consideration regarding industrial insurance benefits.
Hold Harmless Insurance for Employees
The NWESD 189 shall provide its staff with insurance protection while they are engaged in the maintenance of order and discipline and in the protection of students, other staff, and property. Such insurance protection must include liability insurance covering injury to persons and property.
Medical Insurance
Per state law, the NWESD 189 will offer eligible employees all benefits offered by the School Employees Benefits Board (SEBB), administered by the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA). The NWESD 189 will pay the employer contributions to the HCA for SEBB insurance coverage for all eligible employees and their dependents as mandated by state laws and the rules promulgated by the HCA.
When a staff member is on leave and the staff member’s accumulated paid leave has been exhausted, the NWESD 189 shall notify the staff member that the medical insurance benefits are exhausted and the premium is due.
The NWESD 189 will advise staff of the availability of extended group medical insurance to terminated staff members and his/her dependents. Such terminated employees shall be permitted to remain on their group medical plan for up to thirty-six (36) months after the termination. Staff members who voluntarily quit, retire, are laid off, or are discharged for reasons other than gross misconduct, may qualify for this program. The staff member shall be required to pay the premiums after termination.
First Reading: 06/27/01
Second Reading: 06/27/01
Revision: 01/23/02
Revised: 08/26/09
Revised: 06/23/10
Revised: 10/23/23
Revised: 08/25/26
Reference:
RCW 28A.320.100
RCW 28A.320.180
RCW 28A.320.200
RCW 28A.320.240
RCW 28A.335.010
RCW 4.24.470
RCW 4.96.010
RCW 41.50.160
RCW 50.44.030(3)
RCW 50.44.050
RCW 50.20.050
WAC 296-15
29 USC §§ 1161-1168
Date Revised: 8/25/26