Substitute Teacher Handbook

Transcription

1 Substitute Teacher Handbook Joshua Independent School District 310 E. 18 th Street / Ph / Metro Human Resources Fax Business Office Fax Joshua ISD Substitute Teacher Handbook 1 Revised April 2015

2 Introduction Welcome! We are so glad that you have chosen to become involved with Joshua ISD as a substitute teacher. It is imperative that we provide the best possible education for the students in our district, and we are always grateful for those who are willing to assist us in this task. For us, the work is challenging, but extremely rewarding, and we are confident you will find it to be the same for you. This Handbook contains basic information about Joshua ISD and each campus that will help make your work as a substitute a pleasant and enjoyable experience. It is our hope that the information included will serve as a ready reference to assist you in doing your job as efficiently and effectively as possible. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 2

3 District Information Description of the District Joshua Independent School District, which was established in 1902, encompasses 76 square miles in the Burleson, Crowley, Joshua, Egan and Cleburne communities of Johnson County. The District is accredited by the Texas Education Agency. Serving a student population of approximately 5,000, Joshua strives to provide a variety of quality educational opportunities in an outstanding instructional program for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade. Joshua s Board of Education and Administration constantly seek to improve our excellent school system, encouraging and welcoming involvement from all parents, patrons and residents. Involvement from senior citizens, civic organizations, and industry is sought in order to provide the best. JISD instructional programs are designed to meet individual needs and maximize student success. The JISD grade alignment includes five elementary campuses with grades PK-6; one middle school with grades 7-8; and two high schools with grades Curricular offerings include remedial, regular, advanced, and honors courses. Programs for special populations include At-Risk, Drug-Free, Title 1, English as a Second Language, Bi-Lingual Education, Gifted and Talented, Special Education, and Career and Technology Education (CATE). Vision Statement/Mission Statement/District Moto/Core Values - Policy AE Vision Statement: Joshua ISD will be a highly acclaimed model of educational excellence. Mission Statement: Joshua ISD develops productive citizens of exceptional character who are life-long learners. District Motto: "Excellence...For All...From All" Core Values 1. Joshua ISD provides a safe and orderly environment. 2. Joshua ISD students set goals and achieve high levels of success. 3. Joshua ISD effectively and efficiently manages resources to promote student success. 4. Joshua ISD is a source of pride and unity for students, staff, parents and community. Board of Trustees Ronnie Galbreath, President Myra Pruitt, Vice-President Gene Loflin, Secretary Chris Ohlsen, Member Donny McCoy, Member Jason Moss, Member Taffy Ward, Member Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 3

4 Directory of Facilities Administration Building 310 East 18 th Street Extension #1000 Hours: 8:00 am-4:30 pm Monday-Thursday 8:00 am-4:00 pm Friday Joshua High School (Grades 10-12) 909 S. Broadway Campus Extension #1186 Joshua High School Ninth Grade Campus 1035 S. Broadway Campus Extension # 2099 Superintendent Fran Marek Asst. Superintendent of Admin. Services Richard Edwards Chief Financial Officer Rebecca Metzger Director of Human Resources Brenda Pearson Chief Technology Officer Margaret Johnson Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Learning and Accountability Jo Lynn Augsburger Executive Director of Post-Secondary Readiness Celeste Neal Director of Elementary Curriculum, Instruction and Learning Julie Hampton Director of Secondary Curriculum, Instruction and Learning Michelle Snell Associate Director of Special Services Elizabeth Rosatelli Coordinator of Bilingual / ESL Diana Greenhouse Principal Mick Cochran Assistant Principal Helen Hernandez Assistant Principal Stan McVey Assistant Principal Jerry Coshow Principal Kenneth Bodine Assistant Principal Lori Matthews New Horizon High School (Grades 9-12) 603 Plum Street Campus Extension # 1325 R. C. Loflin Middle School (Grades 6-8) 6801 FM 1902 Campus Extension # 1448 Nichols Middle School (Grades 6-8) 2845 FM 731 Burleson, TX Campus Extension # 2199 Principal Kenneth Bodine Assistant Principal Tonya Long Coordinator of Dist. Assessments & DAEP Tammy Riemenschneider Principal Damon Patterson Assistant Principal Tanya Chernow Assistant Principal Angela Carter Principal Brian Rosatelli Assistant Principal Paige Zinsou Ruiz Assistant Principal Kris Connelly Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 4

5 A. G. Elder Elementary School (Grades PK-5) 513 Henderson Street Campus Extension # 1689 Principal Lance Cathey Assistant Principal Allison Hargroves Caddo Grove Elementary School (Grades PK-5) 7301 FM 1902 Campus Extension # 1589 H. D. Staples Elementary (Grades PK -5) 505 S. Main Street Campus Extension # 1989 North Joshua Elementary School (Grades PK 5) 100 South Ranchway Burleson, TX Campus Extension # 1789 Plum Creek Elementary School (Grades PK-5) 500 Plum Street Campus Extension # 1889 Principal Julie Rohleder Assistant Principal Angela Padgett Principal Toby Cox Assistant Principal Brooklyn Christian-Shafer Principal Dr. Somer Yocom Assistant Principal Tammy Watts Principal Shelly Green Assistant Principal Christina Roberson Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 5

6 Campus Times Elementary Staff: Doors Open for Students: Staff Report Time: First Morning Bell: Morning Tardy Bell: Student Dismissal Time: Staff Dismissal Time: Secondary Staff: Doors Open for Students: Staff Report Time: First Morning Bell: LMS / NMS: NGC / JHS: Morning Tardy Bell: Student Dismissal Time: Staff Dismissal Time: 7:05 am 7:35 am 7:40 am 7:50 am 3:15 pm 3:35 pm 7:30 am 8:00 am 8:15 am 8:18 am 8:25 am 4:00 pm 4:10 pm Substitue Pay Schedule Substitute Teacher Certified $75 per day 1 st 10 days $75 per day Next 20 days $85 per day Next 30 days $95 per day 61+ days..$105 per day Substitute Teacher Degreed (no long-term sub pay).. $70 per day Substitute Teacher Non-degreed (no long-term sub pay). $65 per day Substitute Teacher LVN (no long-term sub pay).. $75 per day Subbing for a Paraprofessional (no long-term sub pay)...$60 per day Substitutes are paid from the first day of the month through the last day of the month and are paid on the 15 th of each month. Example: If you work in March, you will be paid for days worked from March 1 through March 31. Your direct deposit would be available on April 15 for the days you worked in March. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 6

7 Dress Code Slacks, Pants, and Suit Pants Appropriate: Slacks that are similar to Dockers and other makers of cotton or synthetic material pants, wool pants, dressy Capri pants that extend to mid-calf, nice looking dress synthetic pants, and leggings worn under skirts or dresses that meet dress code requirements are acceptable. Inappropriate: Jeans, sweatpants, exercise pants, Bermuda shorts, shorts, leggings worn as pants, and any outer spandex worn as pants or other form-fitting pants such as people wear for biking are not acceptable. Skirts, Dresses, and Skirted Suits Appropriate: Casual dresses and skirts are acceptable. Dress and skirt length should be no shorter than 2 inches above the knee. Inappropriate: Short, tight skirts that ride halfway up the thigh, mini-skirts, skorts, sun-dresses, beach dresses, and spaghetti-strap dresses are not acceptable. Shirts, Tops, Blouses, and Jackets Appropriate: Casual shirts, dress shirts, sweaters, golf-type shirts, turtlenecks, suit jacket and sport jackets are acceptable. Inappropriate: Tank tops, midriff tops, spaghetti strap tops, shirts with potentially offensive words, terms, logos, pictures, cartoons or slogans, halter tops, tops with bare shoulders, tops with bare backs, sweatshirts, and silk screen t-shirts are not acceptable. Shoes and Footwear Appropriate: Conservative athletic walking shoes, loafers, clogs, sneakers, boots, flats, dress heels, open toe sandals, and leather deck- type shoes are acceptable. Inappropriate: Flip-flops and house shoes are not acceptable. A flip-flop shall be defined as any sandal that has material that fits between the toes and has a foam bottom. Jewelry Appropriate: Earpieces for female employees are acceptable. Inappropriate: Body piercing for male employees is not acceptable. Body piercing for all female employees with the exception of ear piercing is not acceptable. Staff Development Days: Follow the dress code above with the exception that jeans and silk-screen t-shirts are allowed for district training. Professional dress code will be followed for all out of district training. Teacher Work Days: Follow the dress code above with the exception that jeans and silk-screen shirts are allowed Spirit Days (one per week): Jeans and school spirit shirt Male employees are expected to be clean-shaven unless they choose to wear a neatly groomed mustache or beard. Hair length must be above the bottom of the collar. When a two hour delayed start has been issued for JISD, jeans are permissible for all staff on that day. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 7

8 Sexual Harassment The following are behaviors that could be viewed as sexual harassment when they are unwelcome: Verbal Whistling or making cat calls at someone Making sexual comments about a person s clothing or body Telling sexual jokes or stories Referring to an adult woman or man as a hunk, doll, babe, or honey Spreading rumors about a person s personal sex life Repeatedly asking out a person who is not interested Nonverbal Paying unwanted attention to someone (staring, following) Making facial expressions (winking, throwing kisses, licking) Making lewd gestures Giving gifts of a sexual nature Physical Hanging around, standing close, or brushing up against a person Touching a person s clothing, hair, or body Touching oneself in a sexual manner around another person Hugging, kissing, patting, stroking, massaging Report the harassment to the campus administrator and/or Human Resource Director immediately. Employee Arrests and Convictions An employee must notify the Human Resources manager within three calendar days of any arrest, indictment, conviction, no contest or guilty plea, or other adjudication of any felony, and any of the other offenses listed below: Crimes involving school property or funds Crimes involving attempt by fraudulent or unauthorized means to obtain or alter any certificate or permit that would entitle any person to hold or obtain a position as an educator Crimes that occur wholly or in part on school property or at a school-sponsored activity Crimes involving moral turpitude Moral turpitude includes the following: Dishonesty Fraud Deceit Theft Misrepresentation Deliberate violence Base, vile, or depraved acts that are intended to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of the actor Crimes involving any felony possession or conspiracy to possess, or any misdemeanor or felony transfer, sale, distribution, or conspiracy to transfer, sell, or distribute any controlled substance Felonies involving driving while intoxicated (DWI) Acts constituting abuse or neglect under the SBEC rules Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 8

9 If an educator is arrested or criminally charged, the Superintendent is also required to report the educators criminal history to the Division of Investigations at TEA. Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Joshua ISD is committed to maintaining an alcohol and drug free environment and will not tolerate the use of alcohol and illegal drugs in the workplace and at school-related or school-sanctioned activities on or off school property. Employees who use or are under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs as defined by the Texas Controlled Substances Act during working hours may be dismissed. Tobacco Products and E-Cigarette Use State law prohibits smoking, using tobacco products, or e-cigarettes on all district-owned property and at school-related or school-sanctioned activities, on or off school property. This includes all buildings, playground areas, parking facilities, and facilities used for athletics and other activities. Drivers of district-owned vehicles are prohibited from smoking, using tobacco products or e-cigarettes while inside the vehicle. Notices stating that smoking are prohibited by law and punishable by a fine are displayed in prominent places in all school buildings. Duties and Responsibilities of Substitute Teachers General The substitute teacher should report to the main office upon arriving at school to receive his/her assignment. The substitute teacher is expected to be on duty the entire day, and to perform the duties of the regular teacher. The substitute teacher should try to maintain the regular routine of the class and to perform all the duties of the regular teacher, unless otherwise instructed by the campus administrator(s). A substitute teacher placed in an assignment of long duration may call upon the campus administrator(s) for assistance. A substitute teacher should not receive money from children unless instructed to do so. If money is collected, the substitute should turn it in to the campus secretary before leaving the building. Substitute teachers should not lend students money for any purpose. If a substitute has an occasion to take up an article of value from any student, he/she is responsible for the article until it is returned to the student or given to the campus administrator(s). Substitute teachers should not leave the building during the day without notifying the campus administrator(s). A short summary of the day's activities should be prepared and left for the regular teacher. Under no circumstances should a substitute take a book to read while on duty. Children need your full time supervision. The use of tobacco products on District premises, in District vehicles, or at school or school-related activities is prohibited. The use or possession of alcohol or illegal drugs on District premises, in District vehicles, or at school or school-related activities during or outside of usual working hours is strictly prohibited. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 9

10 Professional Ethics Substitutes have a professional obligation even though they may not be a regular classroom teacher. Substitutes should use extra precaution in expressing personal opinions and reactions about any subject. Under no circumstance should a substitute criticize a regular teacher or the students in the presence of other teachers or students. The school exists for the students. Therefore the first obligation of the substitute is to the student. Be prompt and professional in making and keeping an agreement to work. Complaints, comments, and/or questions should be directed to the campus administrator(s). Confidentiality Teachers often become aware of sensitive, private, or embarrassing information that calls for a high level of diplomacy and confidentiality. It is imperative that substitutes keep school business in school. Do not discuss the teacher s class with other people, especially out of school. You are a professional and shouldn t discuss individual students or problems. Should you have any questions or concern that you feel should be voiced, please do so with the campus administrator(s). Student Illness or Accidents If a child becomes ill or has an accident, the child should be sent to the nurse's office. In case of a serious accident or injury, send for the nurse or administrator immediately. Under no circumstance should a substitute administer medicine internally or externally to a student. Fire and Emergency Drills Substitutes should make themselves familiar with emergency drill procedures. Each classroom should have a map posted with the exit path for the classroom. Inclement Weather Closings In the event the District may choose to close or delay, the local television stations will broadcast the information. Substitutes will not be paid for any day that JISD is closed. Classroom Instruction Substitutes are responsible for students, equipment, and materials assigned to their care. They should not feel that they are just babysitting or holding things together. The substitute should make every attempt to keep the schedule of the regular classroom teacher and follow any instructions given by the campus administrator(s) Follow the lesson plans the teacher has left. Be prepared with your own ideas if there is extra time. As a substitute you need to have the students complete one classroom assignment before starting another and should never enter grades in the grade book. Never leave your students unsupervised. Discipline Substitutes must never administer corporal punishment to any child. The use of corporal punishment in any form can result in dismissal action. Substitute teachers are expected to maintain a level of discipline in the classroom that is conducive to good learning. When individual students cause behavior problems that are disruptive to the class, the substitute should follow the Discipline Management Plan. Substitutes should never leave the class unattended. In situations where it may become necessary to leave for a brief time to attend to an emergency, the substitute should ask a nearby teacher to monitor the class. Firm, fair treatment of all students, combined with careful monitoring, explicit explanations and directions will preclude most discipline problems. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 10

11 Child Abuse Reporting Report suspected abuse immediately to the campus administrator. Persons making reports or participating in an investigation of alleged child abuse or neglect in good faith are immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise arise from those actions. Dismissal of Students Students who need to be dismissed from a classroom to go to the restroom, office, etc. should have a pass. If a student needs to go to the nurse, he/she must have a completed nurse's referral form to give to her upon arrival. Parents must first report to the office to have their child dismissed from school. Do not release any student to anyone unless they have a visitors pass. Generally students will be summoned to the office for early dismissal. Extra Duties The substitute is expected to fulfill all extra duties that have been assigned to the teacher. These duties may include bus, lunch, and hall duty or other special duties assigned by the campus administrator(s). Hints for Successful Classroom Management Your first words will go a long way towards having a good positive day. Start the day promptly with positive selfconfidence and let the students know "anything doesn't go" while you are in charge. Get the students busy at the beginning of the day and keep them busy throughout the day. Problems will be minimized if questions are phrased so only one student will answer or so students will raise their hand. For Example: a. "Raise your hand if you can tell me where the attendance folder is". b. "Raise your hand if you know the names of absent students". c. "John, Where is the handwriting paper?" Students are likely to say: "This is not the way our teacher does it". Tell them at the beginning; "Don't worry if I do things differently from the way your teacher does. There is usually more than one good way, and change can be fun for you". However, students often feel more secure when they follow an established routine. Be positive and put things on the student's level, involve them in activities, give praise when appropriate. Pick out the "disruptive students" to be your helpers, even the smallest task can put them on your side. Firmness is important, children need to know that you can control the situation and will. Solve problems on the spot, and handle situations as they occur. Deal with the student individually and never humiliate him/her in front of the others. If you do send a student to the office, a discipline referral form must be filled out with a detailed explanation of the incident and your attempts to resolve it. If you anticipate problems, let the campus administrator(s) know in advance. Monitor students closely throughout the day. Proximity is a key to good classroom management. There is much truth to the adage, "A teacher on her feet is worth a dozen in their seat." We appreciate your desire to substitute in the Joshua ISD and hope your experience will be both rewarding and enjoyable. If you have any questions, please ask the campus administrator(s) so as to prevent any misconceptions or misunderstandings. Please check the Human Resources Department page on the district website at for additional information. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 11

12 Technology Training for Substitute Teachers General Procedures You will be provided with a computer login specifically for substitute teachers. All internet usage is monitored, regardless of the login you are using. Do not allow students to use a computer when you are logged in. If they need to use the computer, you must log out and the student will log in as him- or herself. Chromebook Classroom Procedures If you are working in a 1:1 classroom, the Chromebook cart should be locked. See the campus librarian for a key if the teacher has not given you specific instructions about its location. Allow students to use the Chromebooks only as instructed by the teacher in the lesson plans left for you. Actively monitor student use at all times. During class, walk around and observe what students are doing so they are not off task or going to internet sites unrelated to the class assignment. All Chromebooks must remain in the classroom. Read the Chromebook procedures posted on each cart and make sure students follow them at all times. Each student has been assigned a specific device to use each time. The teacher should provide you with a roster to record which student uses each Chromebook. Students must initial beside their names to show they had possession of the Chromebook. Be sure that students carefully disconnect the charging cables. It is not necessary to plug them back in each period, because the Chromebooks will maintain a charge for about 8 hours. It is good practice to plug them in if they will not be used for several hours. Remind students to check for damage as soon as they get their Chromebooks. Students are responsible for the specific Chromebooks assigned to them. If damage occurs, put the Chromebook aside, record the Chromebook number, the specific damage, and the names of the student or students who used it previously. Take the Chromebook and the information to the office as soon as possible. (Use the roster to determine which students had possession of the Chromebook.) Each student must use only the Chromebook checked out to them. Do not allow them to pass Chromebooks to other students. Students are electronically monitored at all times when using the Chromebooks. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 12

13 At the end of class, walk around and check Chromebooks for damage. When finished, students should place the Chromebook back in the correct slot. Do not dismiss the class until you have checked to make sure the Chromebooks have all been returned and that they have been properly placed in the cart. The cart must be locked anytime you leave the classroom. Check to make sure the cart is plugged into an electrical outlet. The Chromebooks charge in cycles, so not all charging lights are on at the same time. Be sure to return the key at the end of the day. Notice to All Joshua ISD Part-Time, Seasonal and Temporary Employees Welcome to the Joshua ISD 457 FICA Alternative Plan. On December 15, 2003, the JISD School Board approved the implementation of a deferred compensation program for all part-time, temporary or seasonal employees of our school district. You will be enrolled in the 457 FICA Alternative Plan. With this Plan, you will not be paying the Social Security tax. Instead you will be contributing 7.5% pre-tax of your gross compensation each pay period into the 457 FICA Alternative Plan. Your contributions and any earned interest are yours to withdraw when you leave Joshua ISD. How it works? Instead of reducing your gross wage by the mandatory after-tax FICA (6.2%) contribution and sending it to the federal government, the employer establishes an account that the part-time, temporary or seasonal employee contributes on a mandatory basis 7.5% of his/her gross wage on a pre-tax basis. The 7.5% pre-tax contribution has about the same impact as the 6.2% after-tax contributions to Social Security; therefore the net take home pay of the PST employee is not changed. The employee receives an account that he/she can utlilize immediately at termination of employment. Summary of the 457 FICA Alternative Plan Advantages Mandatory pre-tax contributions, which may reduce the amount of your current income which is subject to tax Tax-deferred savings, which means you pay no taxes on your investment earnings as long as they remain in the Plan Interest earning are credited to employee Annual statement mailed to residence No front end sales charge Money available to withdraw on termination If you change jobs, you may be eligible to retain your funds in the plan until you request a withdrawal No 10% premature distribution tax Rollover/transfer options 100% vested in account Please read the following Frequently Asked Questions for further information regarding the Plan. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 13

14 Frequently Asked Questions About the 457 FICA Alternative Plan What is a 457 FICA Alternative Plan? The 457 FICA Alternative Plan is a savings program for employees who are not eligible to participate in the State Employees Retirement System. These individuals are normally your part-time, seasonal, and temporary employees. What is the History of the Plan? The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 (OBRA) Amended the Internal Revenue Code and the Social Security Act to include employees of state and local governments. The Act authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to adopt regulations and provide guidance to the Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration. The Act amended Internal Revenue Code Section 3121, under which Social Security participation became mandatory for all employees. However, the Internal Revenue Code Section 3121 says that part-time, seasonal and temporary (PST) employees are exempt from the 3121 tax if they are provided a comparable retirement system. In response, the 457 FICA Alternative Plan was created to meet those requirements. This alternative provides a retirement plan for PST employees who are not normally covered like full time employees. The adoption of the 3121 Plan provides an economic benefit for the employer and their PST employees. Will my eligibility to receive Social Security benefits be affected by my participation in this Plan? Your Social Security benefit and your eligibility to receive that benefit may be affected by your participation in this plan. We suggest you consult a Social Security Administration department with any questions regarding their benefit. Who is Offering the 457 FICA Alternative Plan? It is a partnership between your employer, National Benefit Service, Inc. and Life Insurance Company of the Southwest. How do I enroll in the 457 FICA Alternative Plan? You do not need to enroll. Enrollment is automatic; 7.5% of your gross pay automatically is deducted from your paycheck and invested for you. How will my money be invested? Your money will be invested in a group annuity with the Life Insurance Company of the Southwest (LSW). Will I receive a statement of my account balance? Yes, you will receive an annual statement from the National Benefit Services, Inc. (Third Party Administrator) How do I change my name, address, or beneficiary? a. To change your address, you must notify your district Payroll department. The district Payroll department will then be responsible for notifying National Benefit Services, Inc. of any address changes. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 14

15 b. If you are no longer employed by the school district, you can write a letter with such changes to National Benefit Services, Inc. at the address below: National Benefit Services Attn. FICA Administration P.O. Box 1906 Sandy, UT c. To change your beneficiary, you need to complete a beneficiary form available at your district office. You may also obtain this form from National Benefit Services, Inc. This form can be mailed directly to National Benefit Services, Inc. at the address indicated on the bottom of the Beneficiary form. Am I required to complete the beneficiary designation form? No. If you are married, your beneficiary under the plan will automatically be your spouse. If not married, your beneficiary becomes your children or grandchildren. If you do not have children or grandchildren your beneficiary is automatically your estate. What happens if I become a member of the State Retirement System? You will no longer be eligible to participate in the Plan. What happens when I leave service? You will no longer be eligible to participate in the Plan. What are my options when I am no longer eligible to participate? You may retain your funds in the Plan You may transfer your account balance to another eligible governmental plan You may take an in-service withdrawal from your account balance once if you have not made any contributions to the plan for at least 2 years, have a balance that is less than $5,000, and have not had any previous distributions from the plan. When am I eligible for a distribution? If you terminate from your employer without any intentions of returning to work for them in the next 12 months following If you retire, and are no longer working for your employer, you are eligible for a distribution If you become disabled If you have not made any contributions to the plan for at least 2 years, have a balance that is less than $5000, and have not had any previous distributions from the plan. You may transfer your account balance to purchase permissive service credit from your state retirement plan. How do I apply for a distribution? You may obtain a Distribution Form from your district, or contact National Benefit Services, Inc. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 15

16 How long will it take to process my distribution? Distributions are processed one month following the close of the current calendar quarter, in which National Benefit Services, Inc. receives a distribution form. Checks are mailed directly from Life Insurance Company of the Southwest to the address provided on the Distribution Form. Are there any transaction fees? A $10.00 fee will be deducted from any distribution, transfer, or rollover. Are distributions from the Plan subject to the premature distribution penalty tax? No, they are not subject to the 10% excise tax on distributions to individuals who have not attained 59 ½. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 16

17 New Health Insurance Marketplace Coverage Options and Your Health Coverage Form Approved OMB No (expires ) PART A: General Information When key parts of the health care law take effect in 2014, there will be a new way to buy health insurance: the Health Insurance Marketplace. To assist you as you evaluate options for you and your family, this notice provides some basic information about the new Marketplace and employment based health coverage offered by your employer. What is the Health Insurance Marketplace? The Marketplace is designed to help you find health insurance that meets your needs and fits your budget. The Marketplace offers "one-stop shopping" to find and compare private health insurance options. You may also be eligible for a new kind of tax credit that lowers your monthly premium right away. Open enrollment for health insurance coverage through the Marketplace begins in October 2013 for coverage starting as early as January 1, Can I Save Money on my Health Insurance Premiums in the Marketplace? You may qualify to save money and lower your monthly premium, but only if your employer does not offer coverage, or offers coverage that doesn't meet certain standards. The savings on your premium that you're eligible for depends on your household income. Does Employer Health Coverage Affect Eligibility for Premium Savings through the Marketplace? Yes. If you have an offer of health coverage from your employer that meets certain standards, you will not be eligible for a tax credit through the Marketplace and may wish to enroll in your employer's health plan. However, you may be eligible for a tax credit that lowers your monthly premium, or a reduction in certain cost-sharing if your employer does not offer coverage to you at all or does not offer coverage that meets certain standards. If the cost of a plan from your employer that would cover you (and not any other members of your family) is more than 9.5% of your household income for the year, or if the coverage your employer provides does not meet the "minimum value" standard set by the Affordable Care Act, you may be eligible for a tax credit. 1 Note: If you purchase a health plan through the Marketplace instead of accepting health coverage offered by your employer, then you may lose the employer contribution (if any) to the employer-offered coverage. Also, this employer contribution -as well as your employee contribution to employer-offered coverage- is often excluded from income for Federal and State income tax purposes. Your payments for coverage through the Marketplace are made on an aftertax basis. How Can I Get More Information? For more information about your coverage offered by your employer, please check your summary plan description or contact Melinda Caldwell Insurance/Benefits Coordinator. The Marketplace can help you evaluate your coverage options, including your eligibility for coverage through the Marketplace and its cost. Please visit HealthCare.gov for more information, including an online application for health insurance coverage and contact information for a Health Insurance Marketplace in your area. 1 An employer-sponsored health plan meets the "minimum value standard" if the plan's share of the total allowed benefit costs covered by the plan is no less than 60 percent of such costs. Joshua ISD Employee Handbook 17