Office of Human Resources
Kathyrn Mazur
Director of Human Resources
(413) 362-1803
MazurK@arps.org
Fax: (413) 549-6108
The district Human Resources office provides quality leadership and guidance in the development, implementation, and administration of human resources related policies, practices, and procedures in a professional, caring, and consistent manner in order to provide an equitable and positive work environment for all district employees.
Rachel Bowen, Assistant Director of Human Resources
BowenR@arps.org or 362-1808
- Hiring, certification, and employee records
- Substitute Coordinator
Maggie Jaeger, Benefits Specialist
JaegerM@arps.org or 362-1895
- Retirement, employee benefits including insurance, management of 125 and 457 benefit plans
- Unemployment information
Employee Information
Open Enrollment for 403(b) Ends December 16
See http://www.arps.org/node/3299 for more information.
Employee Handbook 2011-2012
Important Links for Employees
Professional Development Information
403(b) Plans
403(b) Plans - Notice to Eligible Employees
Notice to Eligible Employees of Opportunity to Make Elective Deferrals to the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District 403(b) Plan
403(b) Plans: Guidelines and Plan Highlights
Amherst-Pelham Area Schools 403(b) Plan
Plan Highlights
Introduction: The Amherst-Pelham Area Schools (the Amherst Public Schools, The Pelham School, and the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District) are pleased to offer the 403(b) Plan to eligible employees in order to help save for retirement. The plan allows you to save on a tax deferred basis. Plan oversight and administration is provided by MidAmerica.
This brochure outlines the key provisions of the plan as well as who to contact to sign up, for plan or investment related questions, or other information. We encourage you to seriously consider taking advantage of this valuable benefit to help enhance your financial future.
Eligibility:
- Employee Contributions: All contracted Employees are eligible to contribute to the 403(b) plan.
Entry Date:
- Employees are able to enroll in the Plan immediately upon commencing employment with Amherst-Pelham Regional School District.
- Active employees may enroll in the plan or increase their contributions to existing plans during quarterly open enrollment periods. A decrease in contribution may be submitted at any time on the Salary Reduction Agreement from MidAmerica.
Contribution Types:
§ Employee Contributions: Generally, you can contribute up to 100% of your income up to $16,500 (in 2010). You may be eligible to contribute an additional $5,500 if you are age 50 or older. You may be eligible to contribute an additional amount if you have 15 or more years of service.
Vesting:
- Employee Contributions: You are always 100% vested in your own contributions, plus earnings.
Withdrawal Options: (Subject to each vendor’s policies. Check with your vendor for availability.)
§ Separation of Service: Possible 10% penalty if under the age of 59½. Various payment options are available.
§ Loans: Tax-free loans enable you to access your account without permanently reducing your account. You may have only one outstanding loan, with no minimum loan amount. Loans not repaid in accordance with the repayment schedule will result in taxation of the outstanding loan amount and a possible 10% penalty.
§ Hardships: You may take a withdrawal for financial hardships. Hardships withdrawals are limited to the amount you have contributed to the plan and are only permitted for limited financial circumstances that must be substantiated.
Investments:
Funds will be invested with one of the vendors listed on the following page.
Please Contact:
- Vendor: For account balances and to transfer funds.
- MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions, Inc.: For any plan related questions or to request forms such as distribution, loans or hardships please call 866-873-4240.
Please mail all forms to: MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions, Inc.
Attn: 403(b) TPA
211 E. Main Street, Suite 100
Lakeland, FL 33801
List of 403(b) Plan Vendors
Amherst-Pelham Area Schools 403(b) Plan
Plan Highlights
Introduction: The Amherst-Pelham Area Schools (the Amherst Public Schools, The Pelham School, and the Amherst-Pelham Regional School District) are pleased to offer the 403(b) Plan to eligible employees in order to help save for retirement. The plan allows you to save on a tax deferred basis. Plan oversight and administration is provided by MidAmerica.
This brochure outlines the key provisions of the plan as well as who to contact to sign up, for plan or investment related questions, or other information. We encourage you to seriously consider taking advantage of this valuable benefit to help enhance your financial future.
Eligibility:
- Employee Contributions: All contracted Employees are eligible to contribute to the 403(b) plan.
Entry Date:
- Employees are able to enroll in the Plan immediately upon commencing employment with Amherst-Pelham Regional School District.
- Active employees may enroll in the plan or increase their contributions to existing plans during quarterly open enrollment periods. A decrease in contribution may be submitted at any time on the Salary Reduction Agreement from MidAmerica.
Contribution Types:
§ Employee Contributions: Generally, you can contribute up to 100% of your income up to $16,500 (in 2010). You may be eligible to contribute an additional $5,500 if you are age 50 or older. You may be eligible to contribute an additional amount if you have 15 or more years of service.
Vesting:
- Employee Contributions: You are always 100% vested in your own contributions, plus earnings.
Withdrawal Options: (Subject to each vendor’s policies. Check with your vendor for availability.)
§ Separation of Service: Possible 10% penalty if under the age of 59½. Various payment options are available.
§ Loans: Tax-free loans enable you to access your account without permanently reducing your account. You may have only one outstanding loan, with no minimum loan amount. Loans not repaid in accordance with the repayment schedule will result in taxation of the outstanding loan amount and a possible 10% penalty.
§ Hardships: You may take a withdrawal for financial hardships. Hardships withdrawals are limited to the amount you have contributed to the plan and are only permitted for limited financial circumstances that must be substantiated.
Investments:
Funds will be invested with one of the vendors listed on the following page.
Please Contact:
- Vendor: For account balances and to transfer funds.
- MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions, Inc.: For any plan related questions or to request forms such as distribution, loans or hardships please call 866-873-4240.
Please mail all forms to: MidAmerica Administrative & Retirement Solutions, Inc.
Attn: 403(b) TPA
211 E. Main Street, Suite 100
Lakeland, FL 33801
403(b) Plans: Salary Reduction Agreement Form
New enrollees should open (and confirm the fact that their account is open) with an approved vendor first before faxing an Salary Reduction Agreement form to Mid America. Any employee that currently has a 403(b) and has not previously submitted a Salary Reduction Agreement should submit one to MidAmerica.
All Salary Reduction Agreements should be faxed directly to the 403(b) department at MidAmerica at 863-688-4466.
See the instructions listed below to locate the proper Salary Reduction Agreement for your district.
403(b) Plans: Vendors
Approved 403(b) Plan Vendors
AESOP Absence and Substitute Program
Please review the attached documents to learn more about AESOP, our absence and substitute system . If you have further questions please contact Rachel Bowen, Assistant Director of HR at 413-362-1808 or at bowenr@arps.org.
Certification and Licensure
Massachusetts DESE - Office of Educator Licensure
Licensure Call Center
Hour of Operation: 9:00-4:45 (Monday-Friday)
Office: 781-338-6600
Fax number: 781-338-3391
Please watch for extended hours of operation during critical school months.
24-hour Automated Line
Dial: 781-338-3000 and then press "2" to obtain the status of an existing licensure application
Walk-In Customer Service Counter
Hours of Operation 8:45-4:45 (Monday-Friday)
Located on the 1st floor
U.S. Mail
Please mail all correspondence, documents, and official transcripts relating to your licensure application to:
Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Office of Educator Licensure
75 Pleasant Street
Malden, MA 02148
To ensure proper identification, please include your name and academic license number or social security number on all documents submitted.
Academic
Applicants can view particular licensure requirements (Preliminary, Initial, Professional, Temporary) at Licensure Help by selecting the license of interest. When you have decided on the license(s) of choice, simply Apply Online or send a paper application. Please remember to send an official transcript as proof of bachelor's degree, if the office does not have a copy on file.
Website Tips:
Download an application
Teacher Test/MTEL
Find a Preparation program
Find a job
School and District Profiles/Directory
Vocational
For questions about Vocational Technical Educator Licensure, please send an email to VocEducators@doe.mass.edu
For information about becoming a Vocational Educator, please visit: http://www.doe.mass.edu/educators/e_license.html?section=voc
Adult Basic Education
For questions about Adult Basic Education (ABE) Licensure, please send an email to licenseabe@doe.mass.edu
For information about becoming licensed as an ABE teacher, please visit: http://www.doe.mass.edu/educators/e_license.html?section=abe
License Renewal (Recertification)
To learn about the Guidelines and other Professional Development Opportunities, please visit: www.doe.mass.edu/recert
http://www.doe.mass.edu/Educators/contact.html
Attached is an easy to follow chart outlining the process for achieving "highly qualified" status.
Contracts
Employee contracts are attached below. See also the website of the Amherst-Pelham Education Association.
Furlough Days -- Salary Agreement for 2010-2011
Amherst Pelham Education Association
(Teachers Unit)
And
Amherst Pelham Regional School Committee
Amherst School Committee
Pelham School Committee
The Amherst Pelham Education Association (“the Association”) and the Amherst Pelham Regional School Committee, the Amherst School Committee and the Pelham School Committee (“the Committees), having met to discuss cost saving measures in an attempt to minimize layoffs and other disruptions resulting from the cutbacks required to balance the Committees Fiscal Year 2011 budgets, hereby record their agreements as follows:
-
The Association and the Committees agree that teachers employed by the Committees will be furloughed for a total of three (3) days for the 2010-2011 school year. Teachers will not work and will not be paid for three (3) curriculum days. Payroll deductions will be implemented by agreement of the parties.
-
Savings generated by said furloughs will be used exclusively to preserve staffing in each of the school districts.
-
The current collective bargaining agreement between the parties, dated September 1, 2008 through August 31, 2011, is not modified in any respect by this memorandum. Further, the parties acknowledge that there has been no agreement to extend the current collective bargaining agreement.
-
This agreement is contingent upon the passage of a proposed override by the voters of the Town of Amherst, in the amount of $1.68 million dollars, said vote to be held on March 23, 2010. Should the override fail, this agreement shall be null and void, and of no effect between the parties.
-
This agreement is subject to ratification by the Association and by the Committees.
Employee Assistance Program
The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program
FSAP is a free and confidential counseling, consultation, and referral service that assists employees in resolving a broad range of personal, work-related, and family problems.
FSAP serves employees of UMass Amherst, Amherst/Pelham public schools, and the UMass Five College Federal Credit Union. Immediate family members are also eligible. All FSAP services are a benefit and voluntary.
FSAP services are…
Free.
FSAP does not bill insurance companies and we do not collect co-payments. This is an employee benefit for faculty and staff. Confidential. FSAP counselors carefully adhere to professional standards of ethics and confidentiality. Appointments and services are confidential to the fullest extent permitted by law. All records are kept separate from any medical or personnel records.
Voluntary.
People are encouraged to take advantage of this free benefit, ideally before issues become overwhelming. Supervisors concerned about an employee can recommend the FSAP, but participation is not a condition of employment.
Local.
The FSAP is based here in western Massachusetts, on the UMass Amherst campus. Personal. Counselors and clients meet face to face and are here to provide ongoing support.
Contact Information
Visit us at:
University of Massachusetts Amherst
University Health Services
150 Infirmary Way
Amherst, MA 01003-9288
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(hours can be modified based on need)
Phone: 413-545-0350
Web page: www.umass.edu/uhs/services/fsap/
Email: fsap@uhs.umass.edu
Directions:
From the intersection of Routes 116 and 9 in Amherst, take Pleasant Street north through Amherst. Turn left onto North Pleasant (third traffic light). Go to second set of lights and turn right onto UMass campus. Take the first right onto Thatcher Rd., continuing to University Health Services (UHS).
A gated FREE patient parking lot is located just past UHS, on the left.
Support groups
Regularly scheduled FSAP group meetings offer a safe, supportive environment for people to share concerns, find solutions, and connect with others in similar situations. Topics vary; recent sessions have included stress reduction, work/life balance, working with students with emotional challenges, care giving, and transitioning into retirement.
Ethics Online Training Memo
April 7, 2010
Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Forms
Please see the attached documents.
Health / Dental Benefits
HMO Rates
Please note: The rates for the HMO for both Blue Cross and Harvard Pilgrim are not correct in the Open Enrollment booklet. The rates did not change from last year. The correct rates are:
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AmherstMeds Employee Prescription Program
AmherstMeds is an optional international mail order program designed for the Employees, Retirees (Non-Medicare Eligible) and their dependents of the Town of Amherst (including all three school districts) that currently have health insurance coverage through the district. For your convenience, a listing of eligible medications, as well as an enrollment form can be found on the attached document. If you have questions about this program please contact Maggie Jaeger at jaegerm@arps.org or at (413) 362-1895.
FlexChoice - Flexible Spending Account
This Flexible Spending Account program, administered by Sentinel Benefits is plan that allows you to withhold pre-tax dollars from your paycheck to pay for qualified, non-reimbursable health related (including dental) and dependent care expenses. Please see the attached documents for more information. If you have any questions please contact Maggie Jaeger at jaegerm@arps.org or call (413) 362-1895.
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MetLife VisionSavings Eyecare Program
The VisionSavings Eyecare Program offers eyecare and eyewear discounts with convenient access to a nationwide network of thousands of participating eye care providers and optical retailers, including:
- LensCrafters
- Pearle Vision
- Sears Optical
- Target Optical
- JC Penney Optical
- Discounts can be used by the entire family, as often as needed
- Participating providers located nationwide .
- All employees are eligible for eye examinations.
Kronos Self-Serve
To access Kronos for employees
https://kronos.arps.org/selfservice/scripts/CommLog.aspx?ComLogon=1
News You Can Use - Staff Newsletter
News You Can Use
Welcome to the News You Can Use Staff Newsletter. Please click on a date to view the newsletter of the week. You can find the attachments referred to in newsletters below.
If you have any questions please contact Sharon Gross at grosss@arps.org.
Retirement
Please see the attachments for Public Employee Retirment Guide (support personnel) and for the MTRS Retirment Guide (professional staff).
Worker's Compensation
Please see the attachment below for the Employee Accident Report.
Department Overview
Mission Statement:
The Office of Human Resources of the Amherst School District is committed to working strategically with each school community in identifying and responding to their changing needs.
The Office provides quality leadership and guidance in the development, implementation, and administration of human resources related policies, practices, and procedures in a professional, caring, and consistent manner in order to provide an equitable and positive work environment for all district employees.
Vision Statement:
Serving as a resource for the school district community, the Human Resources office is staffed by knowledgeable individuals who impact and promote equity and provide fair, responsible leadership and guidance throughout the organization. The Human Resources office is recognized as a customer-service organization and is responsive to the changing needs of the community it serves.
Responsibilities:
- Union contract negotiations and labor relations
- Staff planning, including recruitment, hiring and retention
- Substitute hiring and daily assignments
- Employee benefits
- Student enrollment projections and trend analysis
- Staff reporting/EPIMS compliance
- Criminal records checks – Massachusetts and National
Primary Duties:
Director of Human Resources – Kathryn Mazur x 1803
- Direct union contract negotiations and labor relations for 3 units of APEA, 2 units of AFSCME, and APAA
- Track student enrollments, projections, and trend analysis
- Responsible for staff recruitment activities
- Project and track district staffing
- Coordinate school system responses to State, Federal, and other requests for personnel statistical reports
- Review Criminal Records Checks
Assistant Director of Human Resources – Rachel Bowen x 1808
- Track employee certification and EPIMS compliance
- Prepare all job postings in accordance with negotiated contracts. Conduct advertising as appropriate
- Maintain applicant pool electronically and field inquiries from prospective and
current employees - Arrange interview schedule and associated tasks
- Assist in development and maintenance of employee database
- Substitute coordination
Benefits Specialist – Maggie Jaeger x 1895
- Prepare all new hire and annual employee contracts/salary notifications
- Meet with new staff to describe benefits.
- Enroll and un-enroll staff/dependents from coverage.
- Design and implement informational fairs for employees
- Work with retirees to determine benefits and coordinate with retirement boards
- Manage 403b, 125 and 457 benefit plans and associated tasks
- Unemployment Claims
Employment Opportunities
Kathyrn Mazur
Director of Human Resources
(413) 362-1803
MazurK@arps.org
Rachel Bowen
Assistant Director of Human Resources
362-1808
BowenR@arps.org
Job postings for Amherst Regional Public Schools are maintained by SchoolSpring:
