Monroe County School System MESSAGES 

Week of October 17-21
MC Logo

Quick Links

A note from your Superintendent Regarding public school funding in Georgia...

 

Since 2002, Monroe County Schools have received $10 million less in state funding even though they have continued to earn more dollars under the state's QBE funding formula.

 

This was one fact discussed during a school funding session hosted by the school system Sept. 26. The session served as annual training for School Council members and was also attended by school leadership teams, heads of school support and parent booster organizations, and other community leaders.

 

Doug Eza, a retired educator and school financial officer, was the presenter for the nearly 70 people attending. Eza's passion for public education and his knowledge of school funding have made him a sought-after speaker and presenter across the state.

 

Eza reviewed a number of facts and figures about school funding in Georgia in the last 10 years showing the budget crises in school finance are the result of the current economic conditions, but he also attributes the problems to a general lack of support of public school among our state leaders.

 

"Many school systems are just before going over the funding cliff," said Eza. "Some already have, but more will be going over in the next few years."

 

According to Eza, the QBE program originally was designed so that the state would fund the "basic" educational needs of children in each county, allowing local systems to fund those "extra" items it felt were important in their own communities. Those extras include lower class sizes, music, art and PE opportunities for all students, and up-to-date technology. However, with a decade full of budget cuts and redirections, local systems are having to move those funds for "extras" over to the "basics" just to keep afloat.

Eza described Monroe County Schools as still being on the high side of the cliff, mainly because of the utility-rich tax digest. As one of the wealthiest school systems in the state in terms of property digest value per student, Monroe County has been able to keep its distance from the cliff longer than other school system, but economic conditions and political pressures are pushing Monroe County and other "wealthy" systems closer and closer, Eza said. Eza also shared:

  • The now quarter-century old Quality Basic Education funding formula has never been updated by the state. State funding for such items as transportation, textbooks, substitute teachers and business functions are still being funding at 1985 levels. For instance, the state funds high school textbooks at about $40 each, while the cost of a textbook ranges from $85 to $120 dollars.
  • The economy in the early 2000s prompted then governor Sonny Purdue to institute "austerity reductions" in the state education budget as a means of balancing budgets. Even though the economy improved in 2006 and 2007, and Georgia operated on a surplus, the "austerity reductions" continued in state education funding.
  • In the past two years, as lawmakers have stated there is not enough money in the state coffers to fully fund education, a law has passed creating a tax credit for donations to private school organizations. This, says Eza, has taken tax revenues that could have been budgeted for public schools away from the state treasury.
  • During last year's legislative session, Eza said, again while arguing the state's revenue crises necessitated more budget cuts, state lawmakers approved "cost of living" increases to the tax credit for public school program.
  • And finally, with fewer and fewer dollars flowing to Georgia's public schools, the state has found money for other issues, Eza stated. These include fishing ponds (i.e. the Go Fish center in Houston County) and corporate tax credits for previously failing, but now profitable, businesses (i.e., Delta Airlines). "And they still take dollars away from the children," said Eza.

Asked by a community business person what could be done, Eza suggested that parents and citizens voice their concerns to lawmakers. School administrators and employees "just aren't listened to," said Eza. He cited last year's attempts by the legislature to take the Pre-Kindergarten Program from full day to half-day. "It took about a week" of parental concern being voiced to get the lawmakers' attention," Eza said.

 

Parents and community members who wish to contact their lawmakers can find address, email and phone information for all lawmakers at www.legis.ga.gov.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony Pack

Superintendent Monroe County School Sytem

 

A Note from Student Services...

 

The Nurses of Monroe County Schools want everyone to have a fun and safe Halloween. Here are some helpful hints to make your student's Halloween Spooktacular!

  

Swords, knives, and similar costume accessories should be short, soft, and flexible.

Avoid trick-or-treating alone. Walk in groups or with a trusted adult.

Fasten reflective tape to costumes and bags to help drivers see you.

Examine all treats for choking hazards and tampering before eating them. Limit the amount of treats you eat.

 

 

Hold a flashlight while trick-or-treating to help you see and others see you.

Always test make-up in a small area first. Remove it before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation.

Look both ways before crossing the street. Use established crosswalks wherever possible.

Lower your risk for serious eye injury by not wearing decorative contact lenses.

Only walk on sidewalks or on the far edge of the road facing traffic to stay safe.

Wear well-fitting masks, costumes, and shoes to avoid blocked vision, trips, and falls.

Eat only factory-wrapped treats. Avoid eating homemade treats unless you know the cook well.

Enter homes only if you're with a trusted adult. Otherwise, stay outside.

Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be sure to wear flame-resistant costumes

 

 

 

A Note from Finance for Employees...

Dental Health Benefit Change

During the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, the administration recommended, and the Board approved, to discontinue the BOE-paid dental coverage for all employees effective with the 2012 coverage year. The coverage currently in place will end on Dec. 31, 2011.  

 

Dental Insurance will still be offered as a pretax benefit through payroll deduction with employees paying the full amount for single or tiered family coverage.  This coverage will be effective January 1, 2012.

 

 

In addition, we have the flexible spending account available as a means to shelter money from taxes for dental expenses.

 

The move was strictly a financial one for the administration and the Board. The current cost to provide the dental insurance to all employees is approximately $170,000. This annual expenditure is equal to one full furlough day for all BOE employees, or is equal to the total cost of three certified employees.   As the administration and Board begin work on the FY 2013 budget, we have pledged to look at any and all expenses and make any reductions possible before we consider additional cuts in staff or programs.

 

In the process of researching and considering options for the dental coverage, we shopped plans to ensure we provide the best cost coverage available. The Board will be offering employees the option of staying in a dental plan through MetLife (rather than the current Standard Insurance). MetLife will provide a higher annual coverage ($800 per year compared to $750) and will include coverage for dental implants. The new plan is a PPO - a plan which allows your dollar to go farther. Several local dentists are already participating in the MetLife plan, but we encourage each employee to check with their personal dentist to confirm their participation.

 

Monthly pretax employee premium rates for the new MetLife plan (as compared with the current Standard rates) are as follows:

 

                                           1/1 to 12/31/2012                            2011 (current)

Deduction (MetLife)                 Deduction (Standard)                          

Employee only                          $    23.06                                  $     0.00

Employee/Spouse                     $    59.35                                  $   36.68

Employee/Children                    $    76.60                                  $   52.64

Family                                      $  109.30                                  $   84.80

  

These premiums will fall under the cafeteria benefit plan which is pretax so the net effect on your check each month is less than the actual premium.  While each employee must make the decision for them and their family individually, we do encourage you to consider retaining the dental coverage. Good participation will help overall group rates for the coverage stay competitive.

 

Finally, the MetLife plan will be a true open enrollment. Persons wanting to cover their children, spouse or whole family may do so with no preexisting conditions limits. Late enrollments will be subject to late enrollment penalties.

 

Your options are as follows:

  • If you want to keep dental coverage through MetLife, you do not need to do anything. Conversion will be automatic.
  • If you do not wish to continue with dental coverage through MetLife, you should see Jeff Jeremiah to complete a form to drop dental coverage. Below is a listing of dates that Mr. Jeremiah will be in the schools during the Open Enrollment Period.
  • If you wish to use the flexible spending account for dental expenses, in cooperation with MetLife coverage or without, see Mr. Jeremiah to get more information and sign up for this benefit.

 

Please know that ceasing this benefit for its employees was neither a quick nor an easy decision for the administration or the Board to make. We appreciate your understanding and we welcome your questions.

 

A Note from Finance for Employees...

The State Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period for calendar year 2012 runs through Thursday, Nov. 10.  This is the period of time that employees who are covered by State Health Insurance must visit the Open Enrollment Web Site to:

 

(1) make new elections in coverage

(2) confirm current dependents

(3) add or delete dependents for coverage

(4) respond to questions for tobacco and spousal surcharges.

 

Again this year, there are changes that will affect the plan you choose and the coverage you determine is best for you and your family. Because there are new options, all State Health members will need to make a new election this year.

 

The process is totally online through the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) portal which can be accessed at http://www.myshbp.ga.gov . Employees can visit the portal anytime and as often as needed between now and Nov. 10. Those not comfortable accessing the website on their own can arrange for assistance by calling the Business Services Office.

 

INFORMATION ON STATE HEALTH BENEFIT PLAN:

 

A number of significant changes are taking place for the 2012 coverage year. I encourage you to spend time reviewing the plan before making final option selections.

 

 

  • The Active Employee Decision Guide is now available for review.  Find it here -- Decision Guide.
  • Employees will choose between two providers this year:   United HealthCare & CIGNA.
  • Both providers have two offerings: Wellness & Standard. 

The Wellness Plan has lower premiums and  lower out-of-pocket expenses than the Standard Plan, but members are required to be more proactive in their own health and to take additional steps such as completing an on-line health assessment and a physician provided biometric screening.

 

  • Within these offerings are three plan options - HDHP (High Deductible Health Plan), HMO (Health Maintenance Org.) & HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement).

The HMO provides treatment only when using in-network providers; the HRA includes a reimbursement account which provides first dollar coverage for eligible expenses before regular deductible and co-pay amounts take affect; the HDHP offers in- and out-of-network benefits with a lower monthly premium, but higher deductible and out-of-pocket maximums.

 

All of these plans are compared side-by-side on pages 15-22 of the Decision Guide.

 

 

Other items of note concerning your health coverage: 

  • Peachcare will be available for dependent children of income-eligible employees Jan. 1, 2012. Information about this program can be found at http://www.peachcare.org or by calling 1-877-427-3224.   Persons interested in pursuing PeachCare for Kids should secure it before removing children from an existing SHBP policy. Denial of PeachCare coverage is not a qualifying event which will allow an employee to add their child(ren) to their State Health coverage. 

 

  • You will default to the standard plan with your current vendor and surcharges will apply if you do not make a decision regarding a carrier.  
  • Your account will remain active after Nov. 10 to allow you to view the election you made for 2012.  Should you feel an error was made in your election, there will be a short window of time to notify the MCBOE Business Services Office to submit a corrected election form. No election changes will be allowed after Jan. 1, 2012. Therefore, we encourage you to take the time during Open Enrollment to research your decision and make sure it is entered into the Portal correctly. 

After doing your research on changes and options, here is how you can make your 2012 Health Insurance Election:

 

* Visit http://www.myshbp.ga.gov between now and 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10;

* Make your selection for the option, plan and tier you wish to have for the 2012 Plan Year;

* Verify that you have correctly answered the Tobacco and Spousal surcharge questions as presented;

* Verify dependents and add any eligible dependents under age 26;

* Click "Confirm" to finalize your election;

* Print or save your confirmation page;

* A confirmation number will show once the election is processes. Copy and keep this confirmation number;

* You may visit http://www.myshbp.ga.gov multiple times, but the last option confirmed before 4:00 p.m. on Nov. 10 will be your option for 2012.

 

 

OTHER BENEFITS:

 

During this fall Open Enrollment Period, employees may meet with Jeff Jeremiah and other benefit representatives to review and make changes in the following products:

 

Short and Long Term Disability                                  Vision

Long Term Care                                                        Cancer Policies

Dental                                                                      PrePaid Legal

Life Insurance                                                            Investments

Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care & health care

 

Employees needing to visit with and other benefit providers may do so on the following dates:

 

Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 12 & 13, K.B. Sutton Elementary;

Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 17 & 18, Hubbard Elementary;

Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 19 & 20, Hubbard Middle;

Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 24 & 25, Mary Persons High School;

Wednesday & Thursday, Oct. 26 & 27, T.G. Scott Elementary;

Tuesday & Wednesday, Nov. 1 & 2, Banks Stephens Middle;

Thursday, Nov. 3, Freshman Campus, Achievement Center, Central Office.

 

 

This is a great deal of information, but it is important to all employees. Please let the Business Services Office know of questions you may have. If we don't have information you need, we will help you find it.

  


 

 

 

The Monroe County School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex in its employment practices, student programs and dealings with the public.

It is the policy of the Board of Education to comply fully with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and all accompanying regulations. As a result, the following people have been appointed to oversee specific areas.

Title II, Adult 504, Adult Title IX
Dr. Mike Hickman
25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029
478-994-2031
Student and Athletic Title IX
Tommie Walker
25 Brooklyn Avenue, Forsyth, GA 31029
478-994-2031
Student 504
Lisa Allred
433 Highway 41 South, Forsyth, GA 31029
478-994-2031

Any employee, student, applicant for employment, parent or other person who believes he or she has been discriminated against or harassed in violation of the above areas must make a complaint in accordance with the procedures outlined in Board Policy GAAA.