File: GCBC

 

 

 

STAFF BENEFITS

 

 

The Rockingham County School Board recognizes the need for benefits in order to promote the employment and retention of the highest quality personnel and effectively serve the educational needs of students.  Accordingly, benefits shall be provided pursuant to regulations established by the Board.

 

Eligibility for Benefits and Effect of Leave on Benefits

 

1.         In order to participate in the RCPS benefit programs, individuals must be employed under a contract or salary agreement.  With the exception of sick leave, workers compensation and liability insurance, the employee must be engaged on at least a .5 full time equivalent (FTE) basis in order to participate.

 

2.         Health care coverage is available to all individuals who are employed on at least a .5 full-time equivalent basis.  Upon initial employment with Rockingham County Public Schools, an employee must work at least one-half the total work days (as it applies to their employment status) during the first month of employment in order to be eligible for health care coverage on the first calendar day of the month following the initial date of employment (i.e. employee starts January 5, health care coverage begins February 1).  If the employee does not work at least one-half the total work days during the first month of employment, the effective date of health care coverage will be the first calendar day following the first full month of employment.  (i.e. employee starts January 27, health care coverage would begin on March 1).

 

If an employee chooses to not enroll at the time of hire, he/she must wait to enroll during the Annual Open Enrollment Period, usually held in the month of August or early September of each year, with changes effective October 1.  This is a time when employees may enroll or make additions/changes in their benefit coverage, subject to the terms and limitations of each benefit plan.  

 

Benefit changes may be made during the year ONLY if the employee experiences a qualifying life change that would affect his/her benefits.  These benefit changes must be made within 31 days of the date of the event.  Qualifying life changes include, but are not limited to:  birth, adoption, marriage, divorce, death, termination of a spouseÕs insurance, or a dependent reaching the maximum age limit of the plan.  Changes must be consistent with the qualifying event.

 

 

 

 

(continued)

 

4/08 RCPS                                ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD

 

 

                                                                                                                                          File:   GCBC

                                                                                                                                          (page 2)

 

 

When an employee is on approved FMLA leave for 12 weeks or less, the division will contribute the employerÕs share, regardless of whether the employee has paid leave to cover the leave. (Please see FMLA policy regarding employeeÕs potential liability for the total health care premium.)

 

3.         Sick and annual leave, as the employment status allows, may only be accrued when an individual either works or is on paid leave in combination for at least one-half of the work days during any month (5 days for August and 5 days for June will earn the one-half day for each of these two months for 10-month employees).  Twelve-month employees earn sick leave at the rate of one day per month.  Eleven-month employees earn one day per month, August through June.  Ten-month employees earn one-half day in August and June, and one day per month September through May.

 

4.              Eligible members of the Virginia Retirement System shall be provided retirement benefits and group life insurance coverage and shall be governed by the rules and regulations established by the Virginia Retirement System. In the event of approved leave, the employee must either work or have paid leave in combination for at least one-half of the work days during any month in order to have creditable compensation reported to the Virginia Retirement System.  Employees who are on approved leave of absence due to birth or adoption, are eligible to purchase service credit during the time in which they did not have creditable compensation reported to the Virginia Retirement System.

 

Additionally, upon initial employment with Rockingham County Public Schools, an employee must work at least one-half the total work days (as it applies to their employment status) during the first month of employment in order to be eligible for retirement and group life insurance coverage during the calendar month in which they were hired (i.e. employee starts January 5, retirement and life insurance coverage begins January 5).  If the employee does not work at least one-half the total work days during the first month of employment, the effective date of retirement and group life insurance coverage will be the first calendar day of the first full month of employment.  (i.e. employee starts January 27, retirement and group life insurance coverage would begin on February 1).

 

5.         Refer to individual benefit policy/regulation for additional information regarding eligibility and effect of leave.

  

Adopted:

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Legal Refs.:     Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, sections 22.1-78, 22.1-85, 51.1-124.1 et. seq.

 

Cross Ref.:      GBO   Virginia Retirement System

GBOA            Rockingham County Supplemental Retirement Plan

 

4/08  RCPS                               ROCKINGHAM COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD