policyreview gbe:staffsafetyandhealth calendar ... · educator proficiency assessment on march 28...

CalendarDec. 5Deadline to requestpersonal leave forDec. 19 (certified)

Dec. 24 - Jan. 2Human Resources closedfor Semester Break

Dec. 31Postmark and Internetdeadline for state taxcredits

Jan. 14New EmployeeOrientation (certified)

Jan. 22Preretirement meeting

Jan. 23Sabbatical applicationsdue (certified)

Jan. 24Arizona EducatorProficiency Assessment(certified)

Feb. 11Student TeacherWorkshop

Until March 17Lateral Transfer Formsaccepted (classified)

There’s no better place to learn.There’s no better place to work.

An equal opportunityorganization

Web Site:www.mpsaz.org/hr

Mailing AddressHuman Resources63 E. Main St., #101Mesa, AZ 85201-7422

OfficesHuman ResourcesSecond Floor

63 E. Main St., Mesa

Phone(480) 472-0400

Human ResourcesJanice Ramirez,

Assistant Superintendent

Employee BenefitsAndrea Billings, Director

Classified PersonnelJill Bonewell, Director

Certified PersonnelKevin Mendivil, Director

Mesa Public SchoolsDebra Duvall,Superintendent

Governing BoardPresident: Rich CrandallClerk: Michael HughesMembers: Lynn Burnham,Cindi Hobbs, David Lane

Volume 2, Number 4, December 2008

Budget Adjustments May Be Necessary

If an employee feelsthat he or she has beendiscriminated against onthe basis of gender,race, color, ethnicity,national origin,

handicap or disability,the employee shouldcontact the district’scompliance officer:Janice Ramirez(480) 472-0412

Mesa Public Schools, like allstate-funded organizations, ispreparing for a challenging budgetyear as a result of Arizona’s currentfinancial status.

Additionally, our financialsituation is unsettled because MPShas lost students since last year.

The vast majority of a schooldistrict’s budget is determined bythe number of students enrolledeach year.

As our enrollment has declined,the amount of money available tofund district personnel andprograms has decreased as well.

MPS is currently monitoring avariety of potential budgetdevelopments.

Many of the variables thatdetermine our current year and nextyear’s budget are far from beingknown at this time.

The status of our current yearbudget is uncertain due to Arizona’slarge deficit in the 2008-09 budgetyear.

As a result of this deficit, thestate is in the process of identifyingan assortment of budget adjust-ments for this current year.

As the state’s revenueprojection for the 2009-10 budgetyear continues to decline, there islittle possibility of K-12 education

in Arizona and MPS escapingwithout any additional budgetreductions.

To prepare for the decrease orelimination of some of the district’sfunding in 2009-10, we must beginthe process of identifying areas inwhich to consider expenditureadjustments.

By planning for possiblereductions in the future, MPS candevelop a budget plan that main-tains our high-quality educationalprograms.

All staff members areencouraged to share input onpossible adjustments with theirimmediate supervisors.

All employees are encouragedto work safely and to promote asafety-conscious effort in theworkplace.

Governing Board policy GBE:Staff Safety and Health and theaccompanying regulation describeguidelines for schools, departmentsand employees regarding thedistrict’s safety and health program.

Some of the guidelines include:

• Each school, department ordivision shall establish a safetycommittee.

• Supervisors shall conduct safetyinspections monthly.

• Employees shall take reasonableprecautions for the safe use ofbuildings, grounds and equip-ment. They shall comply withoccupational safety and healthstandards.

• Any employee injured during theperformance of employmentduties shall follow the district’sreporting procedures, includingcompletion of a Supervisor’sReport of Industrial Injury.

For details, review GBE: StaffSafety and Health. Policies areonline at www.mpsaz.org, and inschools and departments.

Policy ReviewGBE: Staff Safety and Health

Note Procedures forWork-Related Injuries in MPS

Report injuries (no matter howminor) to your school nurse and/orimmediate supervisor, who will fillout a Report of Industrial Injury.

Receive first aid, as needed,administered by the school nurse.

If the injury requires medicalcare, you will be directed to theConcentra Medical Center, or to the Office Hours

Human Resourcesand Employee Benefits

Dec. 19 ......7:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m.Dec. 22............8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.Dec. 23............8 a.m.-4:15 p.m.Dec. 24-Jan. 2 ....Offices closed

Movie TicketsMovie tickets are popular

items. Call (480) 472-7222 toconfirm that tickets are availablein Employee Benefits. You maybuy up to 20 tickets a day.

State Tax CreditsYou may qualify for state tax credits by supporting extracurricularactivities. Drop off donations at any school before Semester Break. Thepostmark and Internet deadline is Dec. 31. Log on to www.mpsaz.org/pay.

Human Resources Web SiteWeb pages at www.mpsaz.org/hr feature a wealth of information,forms, job openings and special events.

Questions, ConcernsIf you have questions or concerns that Human Resources or EmployeeBenefits may address, please call (480) 472-0400.

nearest emergency room if theinjury is life threatening.

After you receive the appro-priate medical treatment and youare released to return to work,notify your supervisor immediately.

If you have restrictions uponrelease, you must discuss these withyour supervisor for accommodation.

Human Resources News Briefs continued

Human Resources Matters Volume 2, Number 4, December 2008

2 Human Resources Matters Volume 2, Number 4, December 2008 3 Human Resources Matters Volume 2, Number 4, December 2008

Highly Qualified Information:Specific Learning Disability and Emotional Disability

There are several options in seeking highlyqualified status for special education teachers whosestudents have a specific learning disability oremotional disability. Important factors to consider:

• teacher of record status• if you have students in grades one through eight• if you have students in grades nine through 12

EElleemmeennttaarryy EExxaammpplleeFirst, confirm that you are the teacher of record.

You are considered the teacher of record if youprovide all the instruction in the core academic area ofelementary content and you give the grades.

You are not considered the teacher of record if youare involved in the inclusionary model — sharing inthe planning, delivery and monitoring of instruction,and collaborating with the regular education teacheron the grades.

Second, confirm that you are teaching SLD or EDstudents at the elementary level.

To be highly qualified, you must have a validspecial education teaching certificate in either SLD,Cross Categorical or ED. You also must pass theArizona Educator Proficiency Assessment elementarycontent area exam. Keep documentation of this withyour highly qualified paperwork.

JJuunniioorr HHiigghh EExxaammpplleeConfirm that you are the teacher of record using

the information provided above in the elementaryexample. If you are teaching students in grades sevenand eight only, you must pass the AEPA elementarycontent area exam. Keep documentation of this withyour highly qualified paperwork.

SSeenniioorr HHiigghh EExxaammpplleeConfirm that you are the teacher of record for the

core academic area(s) you are teaching. Work withyour Special Education Department team to make thisdetermination.

At the high school level, grades nine through 12,teachers are responsible for individual core academicareas, such as general science or math.

If this is the case, you must be highly qualified ineach core academic area that you teach your SLD orED students.

This is very difficult to achieve. Therefore, wesuggest that an inclusionary model be used, as muchas possible, at the senior high level.

If the inclusionary model can be implemented, thehighly qualified burden rests with the regulareducation teacher.

TTaakkee tthhee TTeesstt iinn JJaannuuaarryy oorr MMaarrcchhThe next AEPA dates are Jan. 24 and March 28.

The district will support you in becoming highlyqualified by reimbursing you for the testing fees.

Submit the passing AEPA test scores and a receiptfor payment to Ginger McCarty, Human ResourcesCertified Secretary. She will generate the PersonnelAction Request Form (PARF) on your behalf.

. . . For Withholding

You will find your withholding information onyour paycheck stub in the upper left corner belowyour name.

If your marital status or your number ofdependents has changed, file a new W-4 form withthe Payroll Department.

Forms are available at www2.mpsaz.org/finance/payroll/intranet. Forms are also available inthe Payroll Department. Stop by the sixth floor ofthe Administrative Services Center, 63 E. Main St.,Mesa. Or call (480) 472-0444.

. . . For PaychecksLook at a recent paycheck to verify that the

Payroll Department has your correct address. Your paycheck will be mailed to your home

Dec. 31. W-2 forms are also mailed to your home.To change your address, Personal Data Change

Forms are available on the Human Resources Webpage at intra.mpsaz.org/hr. Forms are listed underthe headings “Certified” and “Classified.”

Print the form, and fax or mail it to the Human

Resources Department. You may also call HumanResources, (480) 472-0400, to request a form.

The Payroll Department recommends that youkeep the pay stub from your Dec. 31 check for yourtax records. Your pay on Dec. 31 will be processednormally — either as a live check or direct deposit.

. . . For State RetirementRemember to maintain a current address with

the Arizona State Retirement System. Annual statements were mailed to employees’

homes in early October. If you did not receive astatement, or if you need to verify your address withASRS, please call (602) 240-2000.

. . . For EmergenciesEmployees are required to provide up-to-date

emergency information to Human Resources, suchas the name, telephone number and address of theindividual you wish to be notified in case ofemergency.

The Personal Data Change Form is at intra.mpsaz.org/hr under “Certified” and “Classified.”

Verify, Update Vital Information . . .

Forms are available to update important information for Human Resources and Payroll.Keep the pay stub from your Dec. 31 check for your tax records.

HR News BriefsPPrreerreettiirreemmeenntt MMeeeettiinnggRetiring within a year? Attend a Jan. 22meeting. Contact Penny Gumser, RetirementCounselor, (480) 472-0416. Indicate the 8 a.m.or 1 p.m. session, your beneficiary’s name, birthdate and relationship to you.

Sabbatical LeaveSabbatical packets for certified staff are postedat intra.mpsaz.org/hr/certificated.html. Apply byJan. 23 for a leave the first semester or full yearof 2009-10.

Student Teacher WorkshopAll student teachers are invited to a workshopon applications, interviews and the hiringprocess at 4 p.m. Feb. 11 in the Board Room,549 N. Stapley Drive, Mesa.

Teaching CertificatesCertified staff must provide HR a hard copy ofall current, new and renewed certificates.

Continued on Page 4

Middle School Mathematics Assessment Preparation is a perfect opportunityfor teachers with an elementary or secondary certificate who may be interested inteaching math to junior high students in grades seven, eight and nine. Class willinclude a review of fifth- through 10th-grade math in the middle school.

Cheryl Gengler, Secondary Mathematics Specialist, will teach the class. Forinformation, call Professional Development, (480) 472-0388. To register, log onto www.mpsprofdev.org.

Teachers who participate and request a stipend or district credit for the coursewill be required to take the Middle School Mathematics portion of the ArizonaEducator Proficiency Assessment on March 28 or June 6. Any interested teachermay take the course for Continuing Education Units.

MPS will support you in becoming highly qualified by reimbursing you forthe testing fees. Please call Ginger McCarty, Human Resources CertifiedSecretary, at (480) 472-0408, for assistance with AEPA fee reimbursement.

Prepare for AEPA Middle School Mathematics Assessment

Section2020011409

Schedule 4:30-8:30 p.m.Jan. 14, 21 and 28Feb. 4, 11, 18 and 25March 4 and 25

April 1

SiteCurriculum

Services CenterBuilding 3, Room 131