Ever since the Pasco school district began its self-insurance program, it has received $100,000 a year from Blue Cross-Blue Shield for wellness programs.

District employee benefits supervisor Mary Tillman didn't spend much of it. She said she wanted to hang on to the money until she had a program in place that could have measurable results that it was contributing to employees' healthy lifestyles.

Now she's got one. And it could put as much as $100 per year into employees' pockets.

The Pasco district is prepared to begin a wellness incentive program, in which workers could get points for participating in activities such as 5K runs, as well as for getting a wellness assessment from the district's health centers.

Every 250 points would translate into $25. Employees could receive up to $100.

Tillman said she hoped to have enough money to cover the initiative. "We have $400,000 in that fund," she told the School Board on Tuesday. So long as employees don't max out the account, "we have money there."

Board members still must approve the program. They indicated they liked the idea.