FY24 Coffee Corner
September 22, 2023
Welcome to the Coffee Corner!
As we truck along through September there are a few things I wanted to highlight.
1. Important Video showing employees how to access their paystubs, change their W-4, addresses, etc. through the Tyler Employee Access Center
2. Annual Insurances Open Enrollment starts 10/2. THIS IS MANDATORY THAT EVERYONE LOGS INTO THEIR BERNIE PORTAL AND MAKE YOUR SELECTIONS. THAT MEANS: STAYING THE SAME, WAIVING ANY OR ALL COVERAGES, MAKING CHANGES TO PLANS, ETC.
3. Teachers Retiring on 6/30/2024 - Retirement Incentive Request is due on or before 10/1/2023 (see benefits portion of this newsletter for instructions)
4. Alternative Health Care Stipend paperwork due by 10/31/2023 - Form is below Benefits and You section
HOW TO LOG INTO YOUR TYLER EMPLOYEE ACCESS CENTER
Instructions
We are excited to launch the Tyler Employee Access Center!
Before the next pay run you will be receiving an email that will have a web address that is linked to your specific district. Please click on the link that is listed in that email. (note all districts will have it's own separate log in)
Your username is your WNESU email address
Your access is basically tied to your google single sign on information, which means less passwords to remember.
The first time you enter the portal you will be asked to enter the following
Last 4 of your SSN
Date of Birth
Mailing Zip Code
*Please double check this information before contacting the business office to double check your credentials as this is tied to your personal information. It is easy to transpose or mistype something.
Once you are logged in you will be directed to the dashboard! From there you have access to:
View direct deposits/paystub receipts
View/edit your profile information
Update your direct deposit information or add direct deposit information (note you cannot use a percentage when setting up multiple direct deposits)
ex. 10% to account ABC, Net to DEF (this will not work)
Correct entry: $150 to ABC, Net to DEF
View your W-2's when published
Below we have created a helpful video that walks you thru this step by step.
We've included a helpful video shown below to help you view instructions over and over.
A copy will also be uploaded on the WNESU.org website.
WHO'S NEW AT THE SU!
Here are a few of the new faces at our schools this year
Shannon Howe - Information Technology Data Support, Windham NE Supervisory Union
Megan Applegate - Health Teacher, Bellows Falls Middle School
Gary Respess - Bus Driver, Windham NE Supervisory Union
HUMAN RESOURCES
Benefits and you!
We want you to be able to make the MOST out of your benefits.
EAP is here for you!
The Employee Assistance Program is here 24/7/365
If you have an issue they want to know about it. From Legal advice, to self-assessments, financial guidance, and short term counseling, they offer it all! Best of all it is confidential and accessible to everyone in your household.
- Need assistance? Immediate clinical line: 1-866-660-9533
Please make sure to set up your online account. https://www.investeap.org/
District Password is: VSBIT
Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for 2024 will start Monday, October 2 and go through Monday, October 30, 2023 for January 1, 2024 effective start date.
PARTICIPATION IN OPEN ENROLLMENT IS MANDATORY EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT MAKING ANY CHANGES OR IF YOU ARE WAIVING OUR COVERAGES.
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE contact me should you have any questions, do not understand how to complete your enrollment or need any assistance what so ever. I am here to help in any way I can. Please do not wait until 10/30 to contact me with issues on enrollment, please plan accordingly. Remember there are close to 400 staff members that are required to complete enrollment and I am only 1 person. When 50+ people contact me to spend 30 min to an hour helping them complete enrollment on the last day, do not get upset if I am not available due to your lack of planning. I will be hosting and recording online web sessions again to go over the plans, and will have time for Q & A. I encourage you to have your spouse or decision maker of the household on the zoom sessions.
Alternative Health Care Stipend
- This is an ANNUAL sign up. You can sign up now through October 31 for the FY24 payout. This allows the board time to plan the budget for who they are paying out funds too. PLEASE FILL OUT THE ATTACHED IF YOU QUALIFY AND RETURN TO ME BY OCTOBER 31ST.
Retirement on the horizon?
As a reminder, if you are a teacher and are thinking about retiring at the end of this year and wish to apply for the stipend please see below:
§ 16.6 Retirement Incentives. Any teacher who is at least 50 and has at least twenty (20) years of service in the District, who announces their retirement, and has enrolled in the District's 403 (b) plan, shall be eligible for a ($7,500) dollar retirement stipend. The teacher must make an application for the retirement stipend on or before October 1 of the school year of retirement. The Board shall have the power to waive the application date requirement. For the purposes of this section, retirement is defined as collecting a teacher's retirement pension. The stipend will be paid out by August 1st of the following fiscal year
§ 16. 7 Definitions and References.
(1) Unless otherwise specified in this Agreement, the term "days" shall refer to a teacher work day. (2) Whenever the singular is used in this Agreement, it is to include the plural, and references 29 to teachers shall refer to males, females, and nonbinary.
(3) As used in this Agreement, including this section, "District" shall include within its meaning the Board of the District Supervisory Union, itself, and the Board shall include within its meaning the Board of the District, the Supervisory Union, itself, and the Board of the Supervisory Union.
(4) As used in this Agreement, "Administration" means the District and/or the Superintendent.
(5) As used in this Agreement, "Superintendent" includes the relevant designee of the Superintendent
Instructions:
To "apply" please submit a letter of intent to retire and request of consideration for the retirement stipend to Nicole (nicole.barnett@wnesu.com) before the October 1 deadline to be included on your district board agenda for review and approval. This can be emailed, dropped off or mailed to the SU Office.
Once approved the stipend will be in the form of a payment to your existing WNESU 403(b) account on or before August 1.
THE STIPEND IS NOT PAID DIRECTLY TO YOU IN CASH OR CHECK.
Teachers seeking column movements
As a reminder, if you are a teacher and have additional credits that you wish to present for column movement, the deadline is October 1;
§ 6.6 Column Movement. Successful completion of professional study that has received prior written approval by the Superintendent or that has been reimbursed and/or paid for by the District under Article 7, shall entitle a teacher to advanced classification on the salary schedule as follows:
A. Full (100%) adjustment for the contract year provided notice is given to the Superintendent no later than October 1.
B. Half (50%) adjustment for the contract year provided notice is given to the Superintendent no later than February 1. Notices shall require written proof of the satisfactory completion (i.e. grade of "B" or better in a graded activity, or a "Pass" in a non-graded activity) of said professional study. Such adjustment to a teacher's paycheck shall be made by the second pay period after notice is given.
Please send all transcripts to nicole.barnett@wnesu.com for consideration.
Be well everyone!
Appointments encouraged!
I realize your time is super precious and I want to make sure you get my full attention to your needs. In order to help everyone in the districts I have created a link to my calendar for ease of setting up an appointment to meet with me.
PAYROLL CORNER
What is happening this month with payroll
1. Custodian Work Shoe Stipend
16. 1 The District shall provide a stipend of $150 for work shoes for custodial employees in September of each year. (Support CBA FY21-25)
- This will be applied to your 9/29/2023 pay.
2. Union Dues (Those who have signed up for the Union)
Such dues shall be deducted in 18 substantially equal installments from each paycheck during the school year (Starting 10/27/2023), unless you are a new employee, in which event the amount will be deducted in substantially equal amounts from each remaining paycheck (for those starting after 10/20/2023). (Support CBA FY21-25)
- Those who have not filled out their Union Dues Authorization and Assignment Form please contact kate.kane@wnesu.com for a form or more information on joining.
3. Timesheets will be changing
- REMINDER: We are moving away from Substitutes Online and are moving to Frontline. Sub's online will cease on 9/15/2023. More info will be coming soon!
- We are still in the early stage and will let you know when the actual change over will take place.
- For now continue your normal routine.
4. New Time Clock is coming!
- More details to come, our hope is for a November roll out
- Please continue your normal routine for now.
Timesheet quick links:
Regular Timesheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/15QzlRfdkS5H2fuPUnM1dI98QFJyZqUqTRx0cwU__x4I/template/preview
Grant Funded Employees:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_8WreOGMYSh63PGNEi2Ml42MdRNAqvegJ3C1SzI_3Vg/template/preview
Transportation:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/16v00WdonzMvWvIAI0j7dUze08NoFYqdT3tmpisSNorU/template/preview
Below please find a copy of our Current Payroll Schedule along with Timesheet Submission dates. If you have any questions do not hesitate to reach out to Jason in payroll at payroll@wnesu.com.
Any payroll related questions? Contact Jason Bishop at payroll@wnesu.com. During payroll weeks please allow 48-36 hour response time to emails. If it is an emergency please contact the central office at 802-463-9958.
PAY RUN SCHEDULE - DUE DATES FOR TIMESHEETS AND PAY DATES
FY24 Calendars
See below for the Administration Office, Bus Drivers, Support Staff Holidays for FY24
PAYROLL - BLANK W4'S AND DIRECT DEPOSIT FORMS
HEALTHY YOU!
PATH - Wellness and YOU!
Who wants to earn a $100 LL Bean Gift Card?
PATH has updated their website portal. You will see a new dashboard this year when you login.
The leaders will be attending a Fall Meeting soon where they announce this years amazing challenge that will start in January. Stay Tuned!
For those who would like to try one of the past adventures you can do so through the Self Adventure Portion of your dashboard.
Don't forget there are many ways to reach your goal of 200 points to collect your LL Bean Gift Card.
Entering your progress for
Keeping Fit
Quizzify
Self Paced Adventures
Online Courses
Healthy Life Survey
Know your Numbers
SMILE
Progress Coaching
and signing up for the Annual Online Adventure
Instructions for Know your Numbers or Smile - Download below forms, have your physician or dental hygienist sign off on the forms and return to your building leader for points submission.
Path Building Leader Contact List
Building Leaders:
Athens Grafton School
Desirae Wilbur
Bellows Falls Middle School (Welcome to our new leaders for FY24)
Sierra Patterson
Jessica Illingworth
Bellows Falls High School (Welcome to our new leader for FY24)
Whitney Patterson
Central Elementary
Peter Lawry
Saxtons River Elementary School
Coleen Gillam
Westminster Center School
Patricia Gomez
WNESU
JoEllen Barton
Quick Link: https://secure.tomypath.com/wndnesu/dashboard/default
PATH Forms
CURRENT CBA COPIES
How do I log into my BerniePortal?
To log into your BerniePortal account (www.BerniePortal.com, Login button top right) using the User Name and Password you created previously. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it from the login screen.
Where can I find benefit information??
I have compiled a whole library of information for you accessible at anytime through our google drives.
Look here: G:\Shared drives\WNESU HR SHARED FORMS
For example you can find:
Employee Payroll Forms (W-2's, Direct Deposit forms)
School Calendars (past and present)
Collective Bargaining Agreements (past and present)
Benefit information (Dental, Health Care, Vision, Life, Retirement)
Employee Benefit Guides
Medicare Info
Job Descriptions
Path and Wellness
Sick Leave info
Workman's Compensation and Student Injury Forms
AND MUCH MORE!
FY24 Mandatory Trainings
From: Andy Haas
Sent to: Teamwnesu@wnesu.com
On: Wed, Aug 23, 3:08 PM
Every staff member will get an invite to a Google Classroom for the Mandatory Trainings. We are NOT using Vector this year for our annual trainings. Once you get the invite, you will need to go into the classroom and view the slide decks. Once you have completed all the slide decks, there is a quiz that must be taken. Once you have taken the quiz and PASSED with 100%, you will be emailed a certificate later.
Every staff member (custodian, bus driver, para, food services, central office, teacher, administrator, admin assistant) MUST complete the trainings by the end of Sept.
Thank you,
Andy
VECTOR SOLUTIONS - STILL AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL NON MANDATORY TRAININGS
To any staff that would like to explore additional training on their own time, we do still have this resource available.
FY24 ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS
Social Media Links for Schools
Windham Northeast Supervisory Union: https://www.facebook.com/wnesuvt
Saxtons River School: https://www.facebook.com/sresvt
Bellows Falls Middle School: https://www.facebook.com/BellowsFallsMiddleSchool
Central Elementary School: https://www.facebook.com/rockinghamcesvt
Bellows Falls Union High School: https://www.facebook.com/bfuhsvt
Grafton Elementary School: https://www.facebook.com/GESVermont
Westminster Center School: https://www.facebook.com/westminstercenterschool/
802-463-9958 x 114
802-460-1472 direct
802-460-0405 fax