January 2004

VOL. 14 NO. 6

In each of the four previous Unifiers, it was reported that the CCASAPE Representative Council is in the process of examining the 401(a) Retirement Plan for possible participation by District administrators. The front page of the December Unifier provided an extensive discussion of the 401(a) plan. It was reported that CCASAPE would continue to examine the plan and secure answers to questions regarding the impact of its implementation.

On January 21, 2004, CCASAPE representatives, ESEA representatives, CCSD representatives, and the District’s consultant, Joe Rollins, met with R. M. Corky Taylor, the President-CEO of Bencor, Inc. Bencor, Inc. was the selected vendor to administer the 401(a) plan if CCASAPE and/or ESEA elect to implement the plan.

Two critical issues previously identified were:
1) How long will it take for an administrator to receive his or her vacation payoff from Bencor if the administrator does not want to shelter the money?
2) Can the vacation payoff deposited with Bencor be used to purchase retirement credit with the PERS?

Mr. Taylor indicated that an individual requesting to withdraw all or part of the vacation payoff placed in the fixed account will receive the money within 10 to 14 days. The individual will also receive interest (currently 4%) on the money for the time that it was deposited into the fixed account. Additionally, Mr. Taylor indicated that money deposited in the 401(a) account can be used to purchase retirement credit with the PERS using the pretaxed money.

Mr. Taylor stressed that the money belongs to the individual and that Bencor, Inc. will work with each individual to ensure that the individual’s needs are met and that questions are answered by a live person when a call is made. He further stressed that education is critical and that Bencor will provide multiple retirement seminars for participants each year.

Bencor does not charge a withholding fee, a transfer fee, or a surrender charge and there is no minimum time required for deposits in the fixed account. The fixed account guarantees 2% interest on deposits but has never paid less than 4% since Bencor, Inc. was approved to administer 401(a) accounts in 1998. Asset management fees are charged for activities outside of the fixed account.

The CCASAPE, ESEA, and District representatives agreed to proceed to the next step of developing unique plans for the CCASAPE and the ESEA. Once the plans and the implementation procedures are developed, the governing bodies of each association will decide if the association will participate in the plan.

In developing the unique plans, the minimum age for participation, minimum contribution for participation, surviving spouse participation, and other identified issues must be determined.

If you have questions or concerns regarding the 401(a) plan, please contact Stephen Augspurger at the CCASAPE office at your earliest convenience.

Each year CCASAPE provides two (2) scholarships in the amount of $1000.00 each. Each applicant must be a senior enrolled in the Clark County School District and a legal dependent of an active CCASAPE member.

The counselor assigned to scholarship information in each of the high schools will receive CCASAPE scholarship information during the month of February. The deadline for submission of applications is March 29, 2004. The Scholarship Committee will select recipients in early April.

Mark Coleman, CCASAPE Past-President and principal of Silverado High School, serves as the chairperson for the Scholarship Committee. Also serving on the committee are CCASAPE members Richard Arguello and Sue Daellenbach.

Article 28 of the Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees states that an employee about to undergo an investigatory interview is entitled to an association representative and reasonable notice shall be given. There have been occasions recently where administrators who have been given notices of investigation have attended the investigatory conference without an association representative. CCASAPE strongly encourages all CCASAPE members to contact the CCASAPE office prior to an investigatory conference to ensure that arrangements can be made for either Allin or Stephen to attend the meeting. Additionally, all administrators are reminded that the Agreement between the District and CCASAPE permits notices of investigatory conference to be sent via e-mail or fax, but only at the request of the receiving administrator. Notices of investigatory conference which are e-mailed without prior discussion with and agreement with the receiving administrator are a violation of the Agreement.

Recently, the CCASAPE accountant, Neil Lewis, informed CCASAPE that the portion of membership dues which supports direct lobbyist activities is not tax deductible for the individual member. During 2003, CCASAPE contributed $8250.00 towards direct payments made to the lobbyist in Carson City. Lobbyist expenses are jointly funded with the Nevada Association of School Administrators and the Washoe County Administrators Association. It has been determined that 2.056% of CCASAPE’s annual dues are utilized to support lobbyist activities. The 2.056% of the $420.00 annual dues for each administrator is $8.64. This represents the amount of dues money which is no longer tax deductible. Lobbyists in Carson City are utilized to assist CCASAPE with monitoring legislative bills, attending the Legislative Committee on Education meetings in Carson City, and testifying on behalf of CCASAPE members during legislative hearings in Carson City.

On February 5 and 6, 2004, the CCASAPE Representative Council will hold its annual retreat at the CasaBlanca Hotel in Mesquite. Tentative topics for this year’s retreat include administrative reclassification, region issues, Administrators’ Advisory Council meeting agenda, CCASAPE Constitution and Policies, medical insurance contract negotiations, 401(a) Plan, Assembly Bill 286, professional-technical employees, teacher and administrator evaluation process, future direction for CCASAPE, and CCASAPE budget development for 2004-2005. The February Representative Council meeting will be held as part of the retreat activities. A complete listing of topics discussed and actions taken at the Representative Council meeting retreat will be provided in the February Unifier.

The dates for this year’s United Way fundraising drive have been established for February 1 through March 31, 2004. Donations can be made to United Way or you may donate to a specific organization or charity of your choice by marking the appropriate designation on the United Way donation form.

DENTAL INSURANCE UPDATE

As all of you know, Humana Dental is now the provider for dental services for administrators. Delta Dental, the former provider, recently informed CCASAPE that any outstanding claims for dental services completed prior to January 1, 2004, must be submitted for payment within 90 days of the cancellation date of the policy, which was January 1, 2004. Administrators with outstanding claims incurred prior to January 1, 2004 are encouraged to submit bills to Delta Dental as quickly as possible to avoid problems associated with payment

Administrators are reminded of the importance of periodically reviewing beneficiary designations for the Standard life insurance policies ($100,000 and $50,000 policies) and for CCSD payroll warrants. When life changing events occur which may necessitate a change in beneficiary designations, it is necessary for the administrator to contact the CCASAPE office to make the necessary changes to the $100,000 Standard life insurance policy. The administrator must contact the District’s Benefits Office at 799-5418, to make beneficiary changes to the $50,000 Standard life insurance policy which is part of the comprehensive medical benefits plan. Administrators wishing to make beneficiary changes to payroll warrants must do so by calling Administrative Personnel at 799-5484. When beneficiary designations are not periodically reviewed and updated, it is possible that the financial benefits from these policies and warrants will not go where they are needed and desired

With the middle school basketball season underway, middle level administrators are reminded that Article 15-6-5 and 15-6-6 in the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees outlines the granting of administrative compensatory time for the supervision of middle school home and away basketball games.

Supervisors shall offer administrative compensatory time for the following:

15-6-5: Supervision of middle school home basketball games which are held outside of the regular school day. Middle school principals may grant a maximum of two (2) hours of compensatory time to each of two administrators assigned to supervise each home game. Compensatory time will be granted to the deans and assistant principals only.

15-6-6: Supervision of middle school away basketball games which are held outside the regular school day. Middle school principals may grant a maximum of two (2) hours of compensatory time to one administrator assigned to supervise each away game. Compensatory time will be granted to deans and assistant principals only.

Active and retired administrators are reminded that when they turn 65 and have Medicare Parts A and B that they are immediately eligible for the CCASAPE Medicare Eligible Health Insurance Plan. This plan is essentially the same insurance plan that is provided to all administrators and retirees with a significantly reduced premium and a number of enhanced benefits. Interested administrators and retirees may contact the CCASAPE office for additional information. Enrollment in the CCASAPE Medicare Eligible plan can be completed by visiting the District’s Benefits Office. It is not necessary to contact personnel at Sierra Health. If you have questions regarding the CCASAPE Medicare Eligible Health Insurance Plan, please contact the CCASAPE office at 796-9602.

Please be reminded that any administrator planning to retire on or before June 30, 2004, (will not begin employment in the 2004-2005 school year), must contact the CCASAPE office and complete a form to participate in the unused sick leave, retiree health insurance, retiree life insurance, and retiree long term care programs. THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND FILED WITH THE CCASAPE OFFICE PRIOR TO MAY 1, 2004, IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JULY 2004 PAYOUT. Please call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 if you have any questions.

On January 8, 2004, the CCASAPE Representative Council held its regular monthly meeting. The major items discussed and/or actions taken during the meeting included the following:

1. The revenue, expenditures, and balances within the CCASAPE Association and Trust Fund Accounts were reviewed;

2. A review of the status of:

A. Unused Sick Leave / Retiree Medical Assistance Payouts - Payouts were mailed to retirees on January 5, 2004, totaling $115,685. This represents the largest payout to date. This fall an actuarial review will be completed to ensure that USL and Retiree Medical accounts can continue to meet the payout requirements of both current and future retired administrators;

B. 401(a) Retirement Plan - An update was provided regarding the 401(a) plan. The 401(a) Plan will allow participating administrators to shelter up to $40,000 of the terminal vacation payoff. Discussions are continuing with CCASAPE, ESEA, the District and Bencor Inc., the vendor for this type of qualified plan. Additional information will be provided to administrators in the January Unifier;

C. Reclassification - The Reclassification Committee met with Bill Ewing on December 15, 2003, to review input received from the general membership meetings held last fall. Agenda items for a second committee meeting scheduled for January 21, 2004, were identified at the December meeting. Consultant Bill Ewing will also participate in the January meeting. Bill’s fee of $600 plus expenses will be shared between the District and CCASAPE. The Representative Council authorized CCASAPE's share of the $600 fee and related expenses;

D. CCASAPE Retreat - The retreat will be held in Mesquite on February 5 and 6. An overview of retreat activities and the tentative agenda was outlined;

E. Assembly Bill 286 - An update was provided on CCASAPE activities related to Assembly Bill 286. This bill, passed during the 2003 legislative session, requires the District and other public agencies, to pay a subsidy for their retirees who receive insurance coverage in the Public Employees Benefits Plan. CCASAPE believes this bill is discriminatory in that no subsidy is provided to retirees who remain in the CCASAPE / CCSD health insurance plan. Additionally, the bill provides an opportunity for former administrators who have been receiving their health insurance from the state plan to return to the CCASAPE / CCSD health insurance plan. Many of these individuals may never have been participants in the CCASAPE / CCSD plan. Additional meetings have been scheduled with the CCASAPE attorney to determine an appropriate course of action regarding this bill;

3. New Business:

A. Nevada Public Employer Labor Relations Association - The Representative Council approved registration fees totaling $250 for Allin and Stephen to attend the January 26 conference held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Agenda items of interest to CCASAPE include Assembly Bill 286 and an update regarding the Employee Management Relations Board;

B. CCASAPE Dues / Lobbyist Expenses - Stephen reviewed the CCASAPE accountant’s opinion regarding the tax deductible status of that portion of membership dues which directly supports lobbyist activities. This information will be outlined in the January Unifier;

C. Lawsuit Update - Stephen provided an update regarding the status of a lawsuit filed against CCASA by a former administrator. It has been previously reported that CCASA has been dismissed from this suit. However, as in all lawsuits, appeals are pending. However, the court determined that CCASA did nothing wrong and awarded CCASA attorney’s fees and costs related to this suit. CCASA recently began the process of collecting, from the former member, fees and costs in excess of $30,000 by garnishing the former administrator’s wages at the rate of $513 per month. This money will be returned to the insurance company who carried the CCASA Officers and Directors insurance at the time the suit was filed;

4. Committee Reports:

A. CCAESP - Sue Steaffens, CCAESP President, provided information related to the NAESP conference to be held in April in San Francisco. Sue also reported that information from the principal input luncheons is being compiled and will soon be provided to members;

B. CCASSP - Linda Archambault, CCASSP President, announced the National Conference for Secondary School Administrators will be held February 27 through March 1 in Orlando, Florida. Linda also announced that a power point workshop will be held at Brown Middle School on February 11, 2004;

C. Legal Committee - Joe Murphy, CCASAPE President-elect and Chairman of the Legal Committee, reported there was no activity of the Legal Committee;

5. Executive Director’s Report - Stephen provided a review of the accountant report, the membership report, and the various CCASAPE activities and the types of assistance provided to CCASAPE members.

As all of you know, effective January 1, 2004, Standard Insurance Company became the carrier for the $100,000 life insurance policy that CCASAPE provides to all administrators. Standard also became the carrier for the $50,000 life insurance policy which is part of the CCASAPE / CCSD comprehensive medical benefits plan. Under the previous plan with Hartford, as part of the $50,000 life insurance plan, there was a $2,000 dependent benefit for children up to age 27 and for spouses up to age 70. Under the $50,000 Standard life insurance plan, the benefit of $2,000 is not eliminated. It is reduced at age 70 to $1,000 for retirees’ spouses, and is reduced to $1300 at age 70 and to $1000 at age 75 for active administrators’ spouses.

On December 16, 2003, and again on January 21, 2004, the Reclassification Committee met with Bill Ewing, the consultant hired to assist with the initial phase of the reclassification project, to review input received from administrators regarding reclassification. Input was received from over 200 administrators who attended seven general membership meetings held last fall. Input was also received from phone calls, conversations and correspondence sent to the CCASAPE office. The Reclassification Committee is taking a very comprehensive approach considering all recommendations received for changing and improving the current process. It is important to note that the reclassification process currently in place is a beginning point that will continue to be modified over time. Any recommendations identified by the Reclassification Committee will be presented to the CCASAPE Representative Council for discussion, review and ultimately, approval. Recommendations to change or modify the process which are approved by the Representative Council will then be presented to the District. Any final changes to the reclassification process will be developed during negotiations between the District and CCASAPE. No specific timeline has been determined. However, it is the intent of both the District and CCASAPE to have any identified and agreed upon changes in place at the beginning of the next school year. If you have questions or concerns regarding reclassification, please do not hesitate to contact Allin or Stephen at the CCASAPE office at 796-9602.