AUGUST 2005

VOL. 16 NO. 1

Included in this edition of the Unifier is a listing of the tentative agreements reached during negotiations with the District. Administrators and professional-technical employees were previously informed through the Unifier that a 21⁄4% salary increase went into effect on July 1, 2005, for 12-month administrators and professional-technical employees and on August 1, 2005, for 10- and 11-month administrators and professional-technical employees. A 4% salary increase will go into effect similarly in July and August of 2006.

It is anticipated that a contract ratification meeting will be scheduled for early September. The date, time, and location will be communicated to you through Interact.

A big “Thank You” is extended to each of the members of the CCASAPE negotiating team for their work thus far in negotiations with the District. The CCASAPE team, consisting of Jerry Boles, Mark Coleman, Joe Murphy, Dusty Dickens, Ron Montoya, Cathy Conger, Jamey Hood, Jessie Phee, Allin Chandler and Stephen Augspurger, is to be complimented for its many hours of dedicated work.

All principals are reminded that Article 20-11-5 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees outlines the process and procedure for the required annual review of the classification of each principal position in the District. The review occurs annually, following count day (September 23 for the 2005-2006 school year). It is anticipated that Human Resources will complete the analysis of all required data and will notify those principals who have changes in their classification point factors prior to October 25, 2005. Any change in classification factors which results in a salary increase will be paid beginning on the October 25th pay date and will be retroactive to the first day of the contract (July 1 or August 1). Reclassification point factors for principals can be viewed on the CCSD web site.

Please be reminded that any administrator planning to retire on or before December 31, 2005, must schedule a meeting with the CCASAPE staff and complete the form to participate in the retiree unused sick leave payout, retiree health insurance payout, and retiree life insurance / retiree long term care programs. THE FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND FILED WITH THE CCASAPE OFFICE PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 1, 2005, IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JANUARY 2006 PAYOUT. Please call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 if you have any questions.

Also, as a reminder, any retiring administrator who is 55 or older or who will turn 55 in the calendar year of his/her retirement will automatically have the final vacation payoff deposited in the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Participating administrators will avoid the payment of Medicare tax and will postpone and possibly reduce the payment of federal income tax.

CCASAPE, in conjunction with staff at AIG-VALIC, has scheduled a series of information meetings regarding the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Mr. Paul Larson in the local AIG-VALIC office will be present at the meetings and will provide information regarding the various investment options associated with the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Additionally, Mr. Larson will review how the 403(b) voluntary plan and the 457(b) plan coordinate with the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan. Information meetings have been scheduled for October 25, 2005, January 24, 2006, and April 25, 2006. All meetings will be held at the CCASAPE office at 3:45 pm. Contact the CCASAPE office to reserve your seat. Seating is limited, so call as early as possible. Please mark your calendars now to attend one of the information meetings!

If you have questions regarding the scheduled meetings or any aspect of the 403(b) Vacation Pay Plan, please do not hesitate to contact the CCASAPE office or Paul Larson at VALIC, 796-0047.

An unmarried child who is under the age of 27 and enrolled in an accredited school is eligible to receive health benefits as a dependent on the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan. Students must be enrolled in 6 credit hours and must submit, once annually, a letter from the registrar’s office verifying that the student is enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours. Verification from the registrar’s office must be sent to Nick Venturini in the Employee Benefits Office in the Education Center by the end of September 2005 to continue health benefits for the 2005-2006 school year.

Once each year, during the months of October and November, CCASAPE holds an open enrollment period. This is the time for you to review your benefit election to ensure that it meets the needs of you and your family. During the open enrollment period, you will have the opportunity to make the following changes to your benefit election:

• You can add eligible dependents.
• You can drop covered dependents.
• You can join the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan if you are currently an active administrative employee and receiving your health insurance from CCEA, ESEA, or from another provider.
• You can enroll in NEW medical plans offered through the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance. (The current POS plan will continue to be offered. The new medical plans will be thoroughly explained during the open enrollment meetings.)

Any changes you make in your benefit election will become effective on January 1, 2006. The CCSD Benefits Office will assist you with these changes (799-5418).

A series of health insurance information meetings have been scheduled to provide administrators an opportunity to discuss the new medical plans that will be available through the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance and to review changes in benefit levels and premium rates. The new medical plans will become available to administrators and their families and professional-technical employees and their families on January 1, 2006. Each of the new medical plans will allow participants to save a significant amount of out-of-pocket costs currently being paid to insure dependents. These new medical plans will also be available to retirees. While CCASAPE will be providing information about additional options for medical insurance during the open enrollment meetings, the current POS plan will continue to be available to actives and retirees.

The CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan is a comprehensive health insurance program. In order to receive the maximum benefits possible at the lowest possible cost, it is important that administrators and professional-technical employees and their dependents are familiar with the various components and benefit levels offered through the plan. Each participant is encouraged to carefully review the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan benefits booklet. Additionally, the PPO and HMO Provider Directories from Sierra Health should be examined carefully to ensure the appropriate selection of medical providers. It is recommended that plan doctors be accessed online through the CCASAPE web site (www.ccasa.net). The web site listing will be more up-to-date than the printed HMO and PPO provider directories that you have received.

Stephen and Allin are currently negotiating with various dental, vision, and life insurance providers since each of these plans expire on January 1, 2006. Additionally, CCASAPE is also renegotiating the current three year medical benefits agreement with Sierra Health. It is anticipated that additional medical plans at reduced premiums will be available to administrators, professional-technical employees, and retirees during the October/November open enrollment period.

Since there are many new administrators and professional-technical employees enrolling in the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan, a brief plan overview is being provided. It is important to note that CCASAPE retirees have the same level of benefits as active employees, with the exception that there is no Long Term Disability benefit for retirees. Additionally, retirees do not receive a District contribution to offset the cost of insurance.

CCASAPE’s goal is to cover the full cost of insurance for the employee and to provide maximum benefits for the lowest possible cost for dependents and retirees. There continues to be a number of influences which cause health insurance premiums to increase. These influences include rising hospital costs, medical malpractice insurance, and escalating pharmacy expenses. Additionally, member utilization also plays a significant role when negotiating new health care premiums.

The comprehensive health insurance plan negotiated by CCASAPE consists of five separate components that are provided by four different providers:

Medical Coverage: Sierra Health Services
Dental Coverage: Humana Dental
Vision Coverage: Vision Services Plan
Life Insurance: Standard Insurance Company
Long Term Disability: Standard Insurance Company

There are two medical plans available. The least expensive medical plan is a stand alone HMO Plan provided by Health Plan of Nevada. Non-specialist office visits are $5.00 and specialist office visits are $10.00. Participants in this plan are not subject to a calendar year deductible.

The second, and more expensive, plan is a Point of Service Plan (POS) and is also provided by Health Plan of Nevada. The POS plan contains three components identified as Tier I, Tier II, and Tier III. Tier I is an HMO plan but is not the same as the stand alone plan. Tier II is a PPO plan. Tier III is a non-PPO plan. Under Tier I (HMO) a non-specialist office visit is $5.00 and a specialist office visit is $10.00. Under Tier II (PPO) a non-specialist office visit is $10.00 and a specialist office visit is $20.00. The calendar year deductible does not apply to see a doctor under Tier I (HMO) or Tier II (PPO). Under Tier III (non-PPO) an office visit charge to the participant will generally be 30% of EME and is not subject to the calendar year deductible. Please refer to your health benefit booklets for specific benefit coverages for the various covered services. Services received under Tier I are not subject to a calendar year deductible or coinsurance payments. Some services received under Tier II are subject to a calendar year deductible and coinsurance of 20%. Most services received under Tier III with the exception of preventive health care services are subject to a calendar year deductible and coinsurance of 30%.

Regardless of the medical plan selected, prescription copayments
are $5, $10 or $20. You should never be charged for anything other than these amounts. Any other copay is incorrect. The $5, $10, and $20 copays also apply to 90 day supplies of maintenance drugs ordered through Express Scripts.

Rene Bernier Herle continues to serve as the Sierra Health Services account executive for the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan. If you have ANY problems with the HPN Point of Service Plan, the stand alone HMO Plan, or the SHL Out-of-Area Plan, you can give Rene a call at 702 304-6964 or you may contact the CCASAPE office at 796-9602.

Dental care is provided by Humana Dental Insurance Company. A summary of benefits is as follows. The deductible for each enrollee is a $100 lifetime deductible. Diagnostic and preventive services are generally paid at 100%. Basic benefits are covered at 80% and crowns, bridges, and dentures are covered at 50%. There is a maximum $1500 benefit per patient per calendar year and a lifetime $1500 orthodontic benefit for dependent children to age 19.

The provider for vision care is Vision Services Plan (VSP). Examinations and lenses will be provided every 12 months and frames will be provided every 24 months. The plan includes a $10 copay to member doctors at the time services are provided. Services can be obtained from nonmember providers and a fixed reimbursement schedule is provided.

Each administrator currently participating in the CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan has a $50,000 life insurance policy from Standard. This policy also contains an additional $50,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. Both the original amount and the AD&D benefit will reduce to $32,500 when active employees reach age 70 and to $25,000 when active employees reach age 75. For retirees who keep the CCASAPE / CCSD health insurance plan, the original amount and the AD&D benefit reduce to $25,000 at age 70. The policy also provides $2,000 life insurance coverage for the spouse and each dependent child of an active or retired administrator. Dependent coverage includes unmarried children from live birth through age 20 or through age 26 if the child is a full time registered student.

This benefit is provided by the Standard Insurance Company. The benefit is effective 180 days after an individual becomes disabled. The benefit is 60% of an individual’s salary. The premium is paid with after taxed money which makes the full 60% benefit tax free.

In addition to the comprehensive insurance plan outlined above, CCASAPE has negotiated other health related benefits for administrative and professional-technical employees. These benefits are provided at no cost to the employee and include the following:

The Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees administers a $100,000 life insurance policy for all active employees and those retirees who elect to continue the policy after retirement. The policy also contains an additional $100,000 Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit. Both the original amount and AD&D benefit reduce to $65,000 when the active employee reaches age 70 and to $50,000 when the active employee reaches age 75. This policy is currently provided through Standard Life Insurance Company. This policy is a negotiated benefit provided by CCASAPE to active district administrators at no cost. There is no negotiated life insurance contribution provided once an administrator retires. However, CCASAPE, as a free service to its retirees, will collect the premium and transfer the premium to the Standard Life Insurance Company. For retirees who elect to continue this insurance, the original amount and the AD&D benefit reduce to $50,000 on January 1st following the insured retiree’s 70th birthday. The premiums for retirees are the same as those of active administrators for this policy.

CCASAPE also provides to each active administrator and professional-technical employee a basic Long Term Care policy. This policy pays $1000 per month for a long term care facility, $600 per month for an assisted living facility, and $500 per month if receiving professional home care from a licensed practitioner. This basic LTC plan pays a maximum lifetime benefit of $60,000. This policy is a negotiated benefit through CCASAPE and there is no cost to active administrators. Retirees may continue this basic long term care policy by paying the premiums themselves at retirement. Active administrators and retirees, who have had no lapse in long term care coverage, may also elect to purchase additional long term care coverage from UNUM. Please contact the CCASAPE office for an application packet.

As you know, the Clark County School District requires that all professional organizations communicate with their members through the U.S. Postal Service rather than the CCSD mail. In order for CCASAPE to ensure that you receive its communications, it is critical that we be notified when you have a change of address. If you have moved recently, please call Debbie or Sadie in the CCASAPE office (796-9602) and provide your new address. The District should also be notified since we purchase labels from the District for our large group mailings.

On August 11, 2005, 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;

2. CCASAPE Election Results – President Conger reviewed the certified election results and welcomed new and returning members to the Representative Council. Jeff Hafen was reappointed as the professional-technical representative. President Conger announced that the two vacancies on the Representative Council will be filled by direct appointment of the CCASAPE Executive Board as specified in the CCASAPE Constitution;

3. Old Business:

A. General Membership Meeting – Expenses incurred for the June 22, 2005, membership meeting were outlined;

B. Negotiations – An overview of progress made during negotiations was provided. Salary increases approved by the legislature will be 2% in the first year and 4% in the second year. An additional 1⁄4% salary increase will be added in the first year due to a reduction in the PERS contribution;

4. New Business:

A. Officers’ and Directors’ Insurance – The status of the CCASAPE Officers’ and Directors’ liability insurance was reviewed. Competitive bids are being requested from various providers;

B. Resolution / Signature Cards for CCASAPE Accounts Resolutions were approved which authorize the CCASAPE President (Cathy Conger), CCASAPE Treasurer (Karen Smallwood), CCASAPE Past President (Joe Murphy), and CCASAPE staff (Allin Chandler and Stephen Augspurger) to transact business for the CCASAPE Association and Trust Fund accounts;

C. CCASAPE / CCSD Health Insurance Plan – An update was provided on negotiations of the various components of the CCASAPE / CCSD comprehensive health insurance plan;

D. CCASAPE Sick Leave Pool – During this past June, 43 administrators submitted letters which authorized the donation of a half day or a full day of vacation, for which the administrators would have been compensated, to the CCASAPE sick leave pool. CCASAPE expresses its appreciation for the donation of vacation days to the sick leave pool;

E. Administrators’ Advisory Council Meeting – The first meeting with Superintendents Orci and Rulffes has been scheduled for September 20, 2005. Tentative agenda items were provided and additional agenda items will be identified during the September 8, 2005, Representative Council meeting;

5. Committee Reports:

A. CCAESP – Charles Anderson, President, provided information related to efforts at securing additional elementary assistant principals and establishing a formula driven allocation procedure;

B. CCASSP – Bob Gerye, President, outlined the NASSP Breaking Ranks training programs for middle level and high school principals, reviewed the availability of grant money from the Commission on Educational Excellence, and announced that a September social was being planned;

C. Legal Committee – Bart Mangino, Chairperson, stated there was no activity to report; and

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

Cathy Conger, CCASAPE President, is seeking volunteers to serve on various CCASAPE and CCSD committees. If you are interested in serving on a CCASAPE committee or as a CCASAPE appointment to a CCSD committee, please call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 or Cathy Conger at 799-4780.