A vote on the future of health benefits for Shoreline Unified School District’s trustees was tabled for the second consecutive monthly meeting last week, after the board president said she couldn’t remain at her post without the perk and a question arose about whether trustees could even vote on the measure. 

Some community members have called for the board to give up the benefits provided by the district, which pays premiums for any board member that enrolls in its health care plan, at an estimated total cost of $44,000 this year. (Five of seven board members currently receive benefits.) 

Last month the vote was postponed after trustee Kegan Stedwell wondered whether the downgrade would deter community members from running for a board seat. 

But this month, Ms. Stedwell suggested they change the policy; though trustees should still have access to district benefits, the board should pay for them out of their own pockets, she proposed.

Board president Jane Healy made a long and frustrated plea to her colleagues to not go through with the cut; without the benefits, she will almost certainly have to leave the board, she said. 

“I’m sorry that I’m so poor, that I just survived the recession and I can’t afford to do this without the benefits,” she said, adding that she has attended every single board meeting for seven years and that her small business, Coast Roast Coffee, has lost accounts because her volunteer position with the districts eats up so much time.

“We work hard for you. We deserve these benefits… It’s kind of embarrassing to admit to a whole community that I can’t do this without help,” she said.

But Donna Faure, a parent and the treasurer of the P.T.S.A., reiterated comments she made at last month’s meeting that while the board’s work is appreciated, the district simply can’t afford it anymore. 

As trustees discussed whether or not to take a vote on Thursday, some wondered about the legality of voting at all. The district’s policy on health benefits for board members cites state government code, saying members cannot receive greater health benefits than employees. The code is meant to cap benefits. 

But the policy goes on to say the district “shall pay the premiums for Board members electing to participate in the district health and welfare benefits program to the same extent that it pays for district employees.” It was unclear during the meeting whether or not this was part of the same government code. (It is not.)

Markey Lees, a labor relations representative with the California School Employees Association, pointed out at Thursday’s meeting that the policy doesn’t specify which “district employees” it is referring to. Not all employees receive the same benefits package, she said. The district pays premiums for certificated staff, but benefits for classified staff are prorated depending on how many hours they work. “Not everyone is treated equally… so maybe that’s a consideration here,” she said. 

(Ms. Healy asked at the beginning of Ms. Lees’ comment if she was “paid by the union to show up,” to which Ms. Lees said, “I find that very disrespectful…Can I finish my thought before you disrespect me again?” She added that she was not paid to be at the meeting.)

Ms. Stedwell also wondered whether she could vote on a policy in which she has a financial interest, or whether she would need to recuse herself.

The trustees asked the superintendent, Tom Stubbs, to consult with legal advisors and bring the issue to them next month.