CVEA Newsletter

December 2009

GOT SICK LEAVE?

In January of each year the District will ask you what you would like to do with your unused sick leave for the February payroll. On the surface this sounds like a relatively simple question but it can be confusing.

Each year you earn 12 days of sick leave and the unused days can accumulate to a maximum of 181 days. If you have more than 60 days you have the option each year to cash out the unused days from the previous calendar year at a 4 to 1 ratio. For example, if you had 5 unused sick days for the year, you would get 1.25 days of per diem pay.

When you have 180 days, you have the option of converting any unused sick days into your VEBA account at the same rate of 4 for 1. This is contingent on the VEBA vote taken each year (see related article on back page). If the group votes for the VEBA option, a cash out is available with an added penalty.

If you start the year with between168 days and 180 days, and you would like to participate in the VEBA option next year, you will need to manage your sick days carefully. You may cash out any portion of your unused days from the previous calendar year.

Remember too that the 60-day and 180-day thresholds refer to the number of accumulated sick days you have at the start of the school year, before the next 12 sick days are frontloaded.

VEBA VOTE SOON

In early January, members who started the school year with at least 180 days of accumulated sick days and/or are eligible for retirement as determined by the district will be given an opportunity to vote on their VEBA options. Some of you will have to vote on both issues.

VEBA is the Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association, which allows employers to set up tax-free accounts to be used by employees for health care related expenses. While employed you may use this account to cover out of pocket expenses such as co-pays. Retirees can apply these funds toward medical premiums as well. If you have any questions about VEBA you can contact them online at www.veba.org, or email them at veba@rehnonline.com or call 1-800-VEBA-101.

The Sick Leave Vote: If you have at least 180 days of sick leave on Sept. 1 of the year, you may roll your unused sick leave days from the previous calendar year into you VEBA account at the rate of 4 for 1 provided the group votes to do so, or you can choose to cash these days out. Your vote will help determine what is done with these extra days.

The Retirement Vote: Upon retirement you may convert your unused sick leave days at the rate of 4 for 1 to either be placed in a VEBA account or to be cashed out. State law requires the decision be made by all employees eligible for retirement. If the body votes to convert these days to cash there will be no VEBA option available. If the VEBA option is chosen you can still cash out your days but with an added penalty. Explanations of these options will accompany the ballots.

VOTE and return your ballots to the CVEA office. A mailing label will be attached to the ballot.

HEADS UP, ELECTIONS COMING IN FEBRUARY

The January Perspective will ask for nominations for individuals interested in attending the WEA and NEA Representative Assemblies as well as anyone ready to step forward and run for the executive board.

The WEA RA will be held here in Spokane on May13-15.
The NEA RA will be in New Orleans on June30-July 8.

Currently there are two known openings on the Exec Board. Shirley Brick will step down as the secretary/treasurer and I have decided to retire at the end of this year for health reasons.

My intent is not to alarm anyone but instead provide the news early to allow everyone time to plan. I am doing fine and am also confident that there are a number of qualified people willing to step forward to ensure that the CVEA remain strong well into the future.

BARGAINING SURVEY IS BACK

We just received our survey back from WEA. Roughly two thirds of you responded and many included written comments. The team of 12 will read through everything over the break. Our WEA has provided tremendous support in helping us develop the survey and then compile all the data and placing it in a useable form.

When asked how much of their OWN MONEY do they spend during an average year for their class and/or students, 72.6% said they spend more than $100 with almost half, 48.9% spending more than $250.

79% spend more than 5 hours each week at home doing schoolwork while 33% spend more than 10 hours each week.