Tuesday Tidbit
August 25, 2020
COVID Reporting
Please remember to continue to contact Dr. Jennifer Hecktor and Pam Glidewell if you have a direct exposure to someone who has tested positive for COVID or you are seeking healthcare guidance because you are experiencing new symptoms. The Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act provides for 10 days of paid leave to employees who have been exposed to COVID-19 while they are quarantined, seeking testing, or awaiting results. Documentation of healthcare consultation, testing, and results are required for this leave. If you have new symptoms or have a direct exposure, please put in for sick leave during the days of absence or quarantine. With documentation, we will change your sick leave to COVID leave. We are happy to help guide you through these difficult times, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.
Mask Clarification
The District has received a number of questions about masks during recess. To clarify, masks are required if social distancing cannot occur, but building administrators and staff are encouraged to schedule opportunities for recess and outside activities that would allow for social distancing.
The same can be said for all areas: If you are less than six feet apart, masks are required for students (grades 3-6) and staff. If you are alone or more than six feet apart, mask breaks are permitted.
Additionally, we have received questions about gators specifically. Yes, there has been some guidance that neck gaiters are potentially not the best, but they ARE acceptable as a face covering.
Open Enrollment August 17-30, 2020
It is time to review and enroll in benefits! The WSD is dedicated to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package for you and your family. Having the resources and programs available to help you have a healthy work/life balance is important to us, especially in these times.
This year’s annual online enrollment is August 17, 2020 through August 30. The Open Enrollment system will be open through August 30, 2020. No elections will be accepted after the deadline. Once Open Enrollment is closed; you can only make changes if you qualify for a life event change (marriage, divorce, a spouse loses or gains job/coverage, etc.). A life event change needs to be made within 30 days of the event effective date. Please carefully review your elections and paycheck.
If you are not making any coverage changes, you can review your current coverage and verify your life insurance beneficiaries. Your current election will rollover if you do nothing, except health savings account voluntary contributions. These contributions need to be re-elected each plan year.
Changes for 2020-2021:
Rates – rate sheet linked here
Medical plan rates are increasing by 4.6%
KIDZ plan rates are increasing 10%
Dental plan rates are decreasing -5.5%
Vision, Life and disability are all no change in premium
Newborn Coverage
Effective October 1, 2020, there is no longer a free 30-day period under the mother’s plan when adding a newborn to the policy.
Important Information:
There are no carrier changes. The $1,000 corridor plan remains the District paid benefit. Employees can continue to “buy up” to a $0 corridor ($66.00/mo.) or “buy down” to a $2,000 corridor to offset a portion of the costs of medical, dental, or vision coverage for dependents ($64.00/mo. credit). The Health Savings Account (HSA) “buy down” option will deposit $203.00/month pro-rated per pay period in the employee’s health savings account. The IRS has eligibility qualifications and annual limits on Health Savings Accounts. Please be sure to review these regulations.
As a household, you cannot participate in a Medical Expense Flex Spending Account (FSA) and Health Savings Account (HSA) in the same tax year. Our Flex Spending Accounts run January 1 through December 31, so you need to plan accordingly. TASC, the FSA vendor, recently transitioned to a new website. You should have received a new card. If you have any questions, please contact TASC 800-422-4661 or tasconline.com.
If you wish to elect or increase life or disability coverage, an evidence of insurability (EOI) form will need to be completed and returned to the Business Office. Your coverage will not be effective until it is approved through The Hartford. Forms are located in the Resource Center section of the online benefits portal. Please print, complete and return the form to the Admin Center, attention Benefits.
403b and 457 Retirement Plans
You may enroll in 403b and 457 plans at any time. Please go to www.omni403b.com for more information.
Please review your payroll calendar, changes effective October 1 are reflected as follows:
- Administrators and Salaried Support Staff: October 9
- Teachers: September 25
- 12-Month Support Staff: October 2
- 9-Month Support Staff: October 16 (10/2 pays half of September this year)
Please review your paycheck stubs carefully to assure what you elected during Open Enrollment is accurately reflected. Please report any discrepancies immediately to the Business Office, benefits@wsdr4.org.
A full meeting schedule is linked below. Please plan to attend a meeting. It is always a good idea to review your benefit elections with life changes. We will also offer a Help Session for those that want help enrolling online. Please see the attached schedule.
- Open Enrollment Materials (Meeting Schedule/Benefits Portal Login Flyer/Current Rate Sheet)
- Your 2020-2021 Benefits Packet
Last year, the User ID defaulted to your school email. Unless you made a change, that is your User ID.
Please direct any questions during open enrollment to benefits@wsdr4.org