DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines superintendent of schools wants the school board to approve the purchase of fitness trackers to motivate employees to move.

“Getting the Fitbit is one way that we can incentivize our employees to think about being more active to maybe use it as a motivational tool,” says Tammy Steinwandt, Wellness Coordinator.

The school board will consider buying up to 5,000 Fitbits. It will cost about $375,000.

The superintendent says it is part of an effort to increase participation in its wellness initiative.

Anyone who has a biometric screening would be eligible for a Fitbit.

“Healthcare costs are rising all the time and this is one way that we can look at helping our employees think about getting a little bit healthier, thinking about changing maybe some lifestyles a little bit and trying to incentivize them to do that all at the same time. And so that’s one of the reasons we came up with the HealthyYou wellness program, was really a way to help our employees. Not only to help them but to help us control our skyrocketing healthcare costs too,” says Seinwandt.

The money for the Fitbits would come from the wellness budget.

The board will consider the proposal at Tuesday’s school board meeting. It begins at 5:45 p.m.