SPRINGFIELD (AP) – Springfield Public Schools officials are considering whether to extend employee health benefits to married same-sex couples.

The Springfield News-Leader reports that the city’s third-largest employer will take up the proposal at a board meeting on Tuesday.

District administrators proposed the idea after a Missouri court struck down the state’s same-sex marriage ban Nov. 5. The proposal would go into effect on Dec. 1 if approved.

Chief Human Resources Officer Parker McKenna says the district surveyed other large employers in the city and state and says many have similarly expanded their benefits. Officials say the change would help the district attract and retain quality employees.

The district has nearly 4,000 employees and provides health benefits to more than 6,000 people. It’s unclear how man additional people would be covered under the proposal.