As we approach the end of yet another school year this edition of the AC will be devoted to a “fridge list” of top ten things you should look into over the summer because you will probably be too buy during the next school year.
1. Print out a copy of next year’s school calendar (found on district website) and note when holidays occur and circle the days immediately before and following as days that will require submission of a Special Consideration Form to use a personal day.
2. Take some time to review carefully your 403(b) statements and know that you can now move your money easily between providers within our plan. General information about the fees and types of investments carried by the approved vendors can be found on our LMEA website (with the exception of Vanguard). If you haven’t started a 403(b) consider doing so now, it’s a great way to use the tax law to maximize your long term savings.
3. Review your PSERS statement for accuracy. Mistakes are occassionally found that can cost you thousands when you retire. If you can’t locate the most recent statement request another one at psers.org.
4. Take an hour or so to fully explore the many valuable benefits negotiated for members of NEA and PSEA by going to their websites. Links are available from our website or simply add “.org” to the acronym. From low cost insurance and loans to savings on merchandise, travel, and attractions, one of the benefits of a large union is the power to negotiate great rates to pass along to our members.
5. Take a look at how you use your health benefits. Has that changed over the past few years? Are prescriptions now more important than office co-pays? Or is hospitalization or other coverages more important? Can you tax shelter out-of-pocket costs in a Flex 125 plan? Employee health benefits is an ever-changing landscape and we need informed consumers to help us decide where we need to go in the future.
6. Set aside an hour or two to read your LMSD contract. If you have been with the district for many years you may be surprised to learn some of the things that have been negotiated into the agreement that you had no idea where there. And if this is the first contract you have worked under it is never too late to know and understand fully what is at stake as we begin bargaining a new one this coming year.
7. Send a note or email of thanks to your LMEA building reps. They have volunteered many hours on your behalf this past year and we could not run this local without them. Their time and efforts guarding your contractual rights have allowed you the time to focus more on your job.
8. Give some thought to volunteering for our Settlement Task Force next year. We need several people from each building and deparment to work independently of CNC on gathering community support for our next contract. This can be low or high profile depending on your comfort zone, and not more than a few hours the entire year. It is one of the most direct ways you can be involved in securing a fair contract that honors the outstanding work you do. More information about the STF will be coming in the fall, but it isn’t to early to commit to being more involved – even for just one year.
9. Think about where you want to be, career-wise, in this district over the next five, ten, or even fifteen years. Our current contract has avenues for salary advancement through advanced degrees and coursework, and job descriptions for our support professionals indicate the skills necessary for positions that may pay better or are more aligned with your interests. New positions are posted inside the district and can be found at the virtual employment center on the LMSD website. If you are nearing retirement (within three years) now would be a good time to sign up for as much extra pay opportunites as are available as this will impact your defined retirement benefit.
10. Do you have a month’s worth of salary (two pays) set aside for a rainy day? If you are on the district’s health plan add about $1500 to that. If you coach in the fall add that amount as well. If you don’t have this money already saved don’t worry, you have plenty of time to get it started and build it up gradually (but don’t touch it!). By late August of 2010 you will know whether you will need it. It is our goal to be able to let you spend that money on something else, but the school board will have a lot to say on the matter. By taking some of the pain out of the decision, if it should ever come to that, this may be the most important thing you do over the next twelve months
LMEA•306 Parsons Ave Bala Cynwyd, Pa 19004 •610-664-5450•
Fax 610-664-5451•www.lmeaonline.org |
