September/October 2007

VOL. 18 NO. 2

ADMINISTRATORS' ADVISORY COUNCIL

Article 19 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Clark County School District and the Clark County Association of School Administrators and Professional-technical Employees provides for the establishment of an Administrators' Advisory Council.  The purpose of the advisory council is to:

·         Provide advice to the superintendent and cabinet regarding procedures, practices and programs which will result in a better educational atmosphere in the CCSD;

·         Improve the morale of all employees;

·         Apprise the superintendent and staff of actual or potential problems involving the school district;

·         Improve communications between the Association and the superintendent and staff;

·         Secure maximum productive and constructive involvement of all employees in their primary goal, which is the educational process of the CCSD; and

·         Serve as the Contract Maintenance Committee.

For the 2007-2008 school year, advisory meetings have been scheduled for October 31, 2007; December 18, 2007; February 19, 2008; and April 22, 2008.    Each of these meetings will be held with Dr. Rulffes and Dr. Lauren Kohut-Rost.  CCASAPE representatives to the Administrators' Advisory Council include Executive Board members Charles Anderson, Bart Mangino, Ron Montoya, Karen Smallwood, and Bev Mathis.  Also on the Administrators' Advisory Council is LeRoy Espinosa, President of the Clark County Association of Elementary School Principals, and Jeff Geihs, President of the Clark County Association of Secondary School Principals.  Robin Rankow is the non-licensed representative to the Administrators' Advisory Council and represents the professional-technical employees.  CCASAPE staff, Allin Chandler, Mark Coleman, and Stephen Augspurger also participate in the meeting.

Tentative discussion topics for the October meeting include administrative selection process, 2008 bond campaign, special education issues, substitute service, ERP/SAP systems, custodial supply budgets, and Senate Bill 544 (state health insurance program).  Topics will be finalized at the October 11 Representative Council meeting.

ARTICLE 27:  PROGRESSIVE DISCIPLINE

Article 27 in the Agreement between CCASAPE and the District outlines in significant detail the steps to be followed in progressive discipline.  Article 27 has been written for all administrative employees and for administrative supervisors.  Discipline for administrators is an effective, reasonable system of disciplinary action that is founded on the premise that disciplinary actions, where possible, are to be corrective rather than punitive and generally, disciplinary actions are to be progressively more severe.  The progression of disciplinary actions must fit the nature of the specific circumstances.  Except for incidents of a serious nature as defined in Article 27, progressive disciplinary actions shall generally follow the pattern of oral warning, written warning, admonition or admonition/suspension and finally, demotion, non-renewal or dismissal.  Incidents of a serious nature which would not require the normal sequence of progressive discipline include incidents related to dishonesty, crime of moral turpitude, immorality, or unprofessional conduct.  The first step of discipline related to an incident of a serious nature may be an admonition.

All administrative supervisors are reminded to review Article 27 carefully when administrative discipline is being contemplated.    Discipline for administrators is not a creative writing exercise and should ALWAYS follow the language, progression, and provisions outlined in the Agreement.  CCASAPE remains concerned that some administrative supervisors writing disciplinary documents, including unsatisfactory evaluations, are not following the requirements and procedures clearly set forth in Article 27.

CCASAPE carefully reviews all disciplinary documents, including unsatisfactory evaluations, that are forwarded to our office.  The review is completed to ensure that the disciplinary document, including an unsatisfactory evaluation, is contractually correct, that steps in progressive discipline have been followed, that timelines have been adhered to, and to ensure that the document is factually correct and legally sufficient.  Disciplinary documents which do not meet the aforementioned criteria are addressed and may require resolution through the grievance and arbitration process.

An important responsibility for CCASAPE is to protect the due process rights of its members and to ensure that the integrity of the Negotiated Agreement is maintained.  CCASAPE does not support or defend administrators who do not or cannot fulfill the responsibilities of their position.  However, CCASAPE will take the necessary action to ensure that the due process rights of administrators are protected. All administrators can assist CCASAPE in this endeavor by becoming knowledgeable of the Negotiated Agreement and following its provisions.

REMINDER

HEALTH PLAN OPEN ENROLLMENT

Once each year, during the months of October and November, the School Administrators' and Professional-technical Employees' Welfare Trust 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, although this can be done at any time.

·         You can transfer your enrollment into any of the medical plan options offered through the Trust.  There are two Point of Service plans, an HMO plan, and a Medicare Eligible Point of Service Plan which is available for actives and retirees who are 65 years of age and who meet eligibility requirements for Medicare Parts A and B.  The Trust also offers an "Out‑of‑Area PPO Plan" for retirees who live outside of Nevada.

·         If you are currently an active administrative employee and receiving your health coverage from CCEA, ESEA, or from another provider, you can enroll in any of the Health Benefit Plans offered by the Trust during the two month open enrollment period.

Any changes you make in your benefit election will become effective on January 1, 2008.  The CCASAPE labor Agreement provides that the CCSD Benefits Office assist you with these changes (799-5418). 

The School Administrators' and Professional-technical Employees' Welfare Trust has scheduled a series of seven benefit information meetings (5 for actives / 2 for retirees) to be held during October and November to provide administrators and retirees an opportunity to discuss the five medical plan options that are available through the Trust, make changes in their benefit election, and to review changes in premium rates.   CCASAPE staff, broker Tim DeRosa, and Sierra Health Account Executive Rene Bernier-Herle will be in attendance at each of the open enrollment meetings.  For your information, the 2007 open enrollment meeting schedule is listed below.

WELFARE TRUST 2007 OPEN

ENROLLMENT MEETING SCHEDULE

Administrators and eligible retirees are reminded that participation in the two Point of Service plans and the HMO plan requires that you live in the Health Plan of Nevada (HPN) service area.  Retirees who live outside of the service area must enroll in the CCASAPE Out-of-Area Plan.  The CCASAPE Out-of-Area Plan has the same Tier II and Tier III benefits and the same premiums as the POS Plan 1, but does not have the HMO benefit. 

Additionally, administrators and retirees who are considering changing from POS Plan 1 to POS Plan 2 or the HMO Plan 3 during the open enrollment period should contact the CCASAPE office or attend one of the open enrollment meetings to receive information regarding how the pharmacy benefit differs between the three plans.  POS Plan 1 is a customized plan with no restrictions on covered drugs.  POS Plan 2 and the HMO Plan 3 are off-the-shelf Sierra products.  There are certain drugs in these plans that are not covered drugs.   To determine if the drugs you are currently taking or may take in the future are covered under Plan 2 or Plan 3, access the Sierra website and follow the directions listed below.  A link to the Sierra website is maintained on the CCASAPE website at www.ccasa.net.  

www.sierrahealth.com

† Position cursor over "Current Customer" for drop-down menu. † Click on Sierra Health and Life to access "Current Members." † Click on Employer Group PPO plans.

† Click on Prescription Drug Lists (formularies).

† To view and print the formulary, click on the desired link at the left.

FULL-TIME STUDENT

ENROLLMENT STATUS REQUIRED

FOR HEALTH PLAN ELIGIBILITY

Health plan participants are reminded that 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 any of the health benefit plans offered through the Welfare Trust if the student is attending school in Nevada.  Active administrators and eligible retirees with college students attending school out-of-state should enroll in the POS Plan 1 since the same PPO (Tier II) benefits apply.   The POS Plan 2 only provides Tier III benefits for college students attending out-of-state.   Tier III benefits will result in significantly higher out-of-pocket expenses.  HMO Plan 3 provides no coverage for college student dependents attending school out-of-state.   Students must be enrolled in 6 credit hours to be eligible to participate.  

Plan participants are reminded they must provide a "student status verification" only once (when a dependent turns 19, or at the time of enrollment if the child is 19 or older).   Sierra Health requires that each administrator and retiree will inform the District's Benefits Office (799-5418) when any dependent is no longer eligible for insurance coverage. 

Students currently enrolled in the health benefits plan who have not returned to school this fall will have no coverage beyond September 30, 2007. 

Even though student status verification is no longer required by Sierra Health, the student must remain enrolled throughout the school year, with the exception of the summer months, to maintain health insurance eligibility.  Failure to notify the District's Benefits Office when a student dependent is no longer enrolled as a full‑time student will result in Sierra Health terminating health insurance eligibility for that dependent retroactively to the date when the student became ineligible.   Claims incurred during the ineligible period will be denied by Sierra and the other health care providers.  

STATE HEALTH INSURANCE ENROLLMENT INFORMATION

The August/September Unifier contained information regarding enrollment changes to the State Health Insurance Program (PEBP).  These changes were brought about by the passage of Senate Bill 544 during the 2007 Nevada Legislative Session.  Administrators who are contemplating retirement and considering enrollment in the State Health Insurance Program should contact PEBP at 775-684-7000 or 800-326-5496.  PEBP's fax number is 775-684-7028. The e-mail address for PEBP is www.pebp.state.nv.us.  PEBP has published a Retiree Enrollment Guide which should be studied carefully prior to making final decisions regarding the selection of medical benefits offered through PEBP to retirees.    The Retiree Enrollment Guide outlines the special enrollment periods for current retirees and for active administrators who retire on or before September 1, 2008.  Additionally, the guide outlines the various state medical plans, deductible options, and the retiree subsidy adjustment which is based on years of service.   The subsidy amount for retirees who retired prior to January 1, 1994, and are currently enrolled in the State Health Insurance Program is $336.97.  The subsidy amount for retirees who retired on or after January 1, 1994, increases with years of service.  With five years of service the subsidy amount is $91.41 and with twenty plus years of service the subsidy amount is $502.76.  The Retiree Enrollment Guide may be found on the PEBP website:

www.pebp.state.nv.us

† Click on "Retiree" link at left to access the Retiree Benefits page.

† Click on link to learn more about the retiree enrollment process                                           at the end of the second paragraph.

As outlined in last month's Unifier, PEBP requires a two month waiting period before enrollment can occur and requires a retirement date for active employees not later than September 1, 2008, to maintain eligibility for a retiree to enroll in the State Health Insurance Program.  Current CCSD employees who retire after September 1, 2008, will no longer be eligible to enroll in the State Health Insurance Program unless CCSD active employees are also enrolled in the State Health Insurance Program, which is very unlikely.

PEBP has established a special enrollment period for current retirees who retired on or after January 1, 1994.  This special enrollment period for current retirees will occur between  January 1, 2008, through March 31, 2008. 

Active administrators and retirees who are contemplating enrollment in the State Health Insurance Program should carefully monitor the resolution of the lawsuit filed by the Metropolitan Police Department against PEBP.  Metro refused to pay PEBP the subsidy that was legislative created in 2003.  In a recent District Court judicial decision, Metro's refusal to pay was upheld.  This case is currently on appeal with the Nevada Supreme Court.  Recent newspaper articles have reported conflicting and confusing information regarding the subsidy issue.  Those considering this health plan are encouraged to watch carefully the outcome of this case and its impact on the State Health Insurance Program.

As a reminder, retiring administrators will always be able to participate in the various health benefit programs offered through the School Administrators' and Professional-technical Employees' Welfare Trust.  Contract language is currently being negotiated that will preserve this right for all current and future administrative and professional-technical retirees.  However, if at retirement, administrators or professional-technical employees do not enroll in a medical benefit plan offered through the Trust, they will not be allowed, in the future, to enroll in a health benefit plan offered through the Trust.  An exception is for retirees who turn 65 and have Medicare Parts A and B.  These administrators will be able to enroll in the Welfare Trust's Medicare Eligible Health Benefit Plan. 

THANK YOU TIM DEROSA

AND BUSINESS BENEFITS INC.

CCASAPE staff extends a big thank you to Tim DeRosa and all of his employees at Business Benefits Inc. for their outstanding assistance with the benefit plans that are offered to active administrators and retirees by the School Administrators' and Professional-technical Employees' Welfare Trust.  Tim is the broker of record for each of the benefits offered through the Trust and over the years has done an excellent job in assisting with provider contract negotiations, resolution of client issues, and the monitoring and revision of the various documents associated with multiple benefit plans.  Tim's assistance and guidance has been invaluable in ensuring that benefit plans are in place that meet the varying needs of active administrators and retirees.  CCASAPE thanks Tim and his staff for their expertise and continuing assistance.

ANNUAL REVIEW OF SITE-BASED

PRINCIPAL POSITIONS - REMINDER

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 21 for the 2007-2008 school year).  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, 2007. Any change in classification factors which results in a salary increase will be paid beginning on the November 9^th  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 website:

www.ccsd.net

† Under Quick Links, (yellow section) select "Employment Opportunities" which will take you to Human Resources.

† Select "Map" located in the top headline.

† Select "Reclassification Information" under Administrative Personnel Department.

† Scroll down until you find "Reclassification Sites 2006-2007 (revised 11-30-06).

† Click on that link to access the chart.

ADDRESS CHANGES

ATTENTION ACTIVE ADMINISTRATORS

AND RETIREES

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 you to receive the CCASAPE and the Welfare Trust 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.  This information will be communicated by CCASAPE staff to the Welfare Trust, the District, and to the medical benefit providers. 

RETIREMENT

Please be reminded that any administrator planning to retire on or before December 31, 2007, must schedule a meeting with the CCASAPE staff and complete the form to participate in the Welfare Trust's retiree unused sick leave payout, retiree medical reimbursement payout, retiree health benefit programs, and retiree life insurance / retiree long term care programs.   THE FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND FILED WITH THE CCASAPE OFFICE PRIOR TO NOVEMBER 1, 2007, IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE JANUARY 2008 PAYOUT.    Please call the CCASAPE office at 796-9602 if you have any questions.