ÆÞÓÑÉçÇø

The District provides eligible employees with the opportunity to participate in group health, dental, vision, supplemental voluntary health benefit offerings, life insurance, long-term disability insurance programs, Health Savings Accounts, and Section 125 flexible spending accounts according to collective bargaining agreements between the District and the organizations representing each employee group, or as provided for by salary, wage and benefit plans adopted by the Board for employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

When full premiums are not paid by the District, the employee shall pay his or her share of the premiums through payroll deduction in order to be eligible for the benefit.  Failure by the employee to pay required premium(s) shall result in termination of coverage for any elected benefit(s).

Employees may participate in payroll deductions for the purchase of United States Savings Bonds.  Enrollment forms are available from the district payroll office.

I. Employees desiring to participate in a 403(b) tax-sheltered annuity or custodial account program shall have: 

A. Selected a sponsoring company from the list of companies approved by the District; 

B. Completed the sponsoring company's required forms; 

C. Completed the District's salary reduction agreement available through the payroll office, at least 15 days prior to the scheduled payroll start date; and 

D. Have the sponsoring company file a Hold Harmless Agreement with the District (unless an executed Hold Harmless Agreement is already on file with the District). 

II. The District shall have available a list of companies through which employees currently have tax-sheltered annuities or custodial accounts. The District will not select nor recommend nor provide any advice to employees with respect to an annuity contract or custodial account in which the employees' contributions are invested. 

III. An employee who desires to contribute more than the maximum elective deferral shall provide the District such information as is needed to ensure that the amounts contributed in excess of the maximum will qualify under the Internal Revenue Service rules. 

IV. The employee and the sponsoring company are responsible for determining that the salary reduction amount does not exceed the limits as set forth in applicable law. The employee must agree to indemnify and hold the District harmless against any and all actions, claims and demands whatsoever that may arise from the purchase of annuities or custodial accounts for employees in amounts in excess of contribution limits as defined under applicable law. 

V. The employee must agree that the District shall have no liability whatsoever for any and all losses suffered by the employee with regard to his or her selection of the annuity and/or custodial account, its terms, the financial condition, operation of, administration of, or benefits provided by the company providing the annuity and/or custodial account. The sponsoring companies shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations, and the District assumes no responsibility therefor. 

VI. The District shall adopt: (a) a Plan Document to satisfy the requirements of section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, as amended, as a defined contribution tax-deferred annuity plan of a governmental entity; and (b) an Investment Policy regarding the selection and de-selection of funding vehicles and investment providers (vendors).

Payroll deductions for the United Way of the Midlands campaign are allowed. The employee's contribution must total at least $8 to qualify for payroll deduction. Payroll reduction agreements are due in the payroll office 15 days prior to the first deduction. 

Payroll deduction agreements for professional or union dues are due in the payroll office 15 days prior to the first deduction. The authorization form for the employee shall include a notice to the employee of the employee's right to refuse authorization. The authorization may also authorize the professional organization or union to certify annually the amount to be deducted from the employee's wages.

I. Employees desiring to participate in a governmental 457(b) deferred compensation plan shall have:

a. Selected a sponsoring company from the list of companies approved by the District;

b. Completed the sponsoring company's required forms;

c. Completed the District's salary reduction agreement available through the payroll office, at least 15 days prior to the scheduled payroll start date; and

d. Have the sponsoring company file a Hold Harmless Agreement with the District (unless an executed Hold Harmless Agreement is already on file with the District).

II. The District shall have available a list of companies through which employees currently have governmental 457(b) deferred compensation plans. The District will not select nor recommend nor provide any advice to employees with respect to a deferred compensation plan in which the employees' contributions are invested. 

III. An employee who desires to contribute more than the maximum elective deferral shall provide the District such information as is needed to ensure that the amounts contributed in excess of the maximum will qualify under the Internal Revenue Service rules.

IV. The employee and the sponsoring company are responsible for determining that the salary reduction amount does not exceed the limits as set forth in applicable law. The employee must agree to indemnify and hold the District harmless against any and all actions, claims and demands whatsoever that may arise from the governmental 457(b) deferred compensation plans for employees in amounts in excess of contribution limits as defined under applicable law. 

V. The employee must agree that the District shall have no liability whatsoever for any and all losses suffered by the employee with regard to his or her participation in and/or selection of the 457(b) deferred compensation plan, its terms, the financial condition, operation of, administration of, or benefits provided by the company providing the 457(b) deferred compensation plan. The sponsoring companies shall be responsible for monitoring compliance with all applicable statutes and regulations, and the District assumes no responsibility therefor.

VI. The District shall adopt: (a) a Basic Plan Document to satisfy the requirements of section 457 of the Internal Revenue code of 1986, as amended, and shall provide for and govern participation in the plan, contributions and limitations on contributions, time and method of payment of benefits, plan administrator duties, participant administration requirements, and amendments, termination and transfers; and (b) an Investment Policy regarding the selection and de-selection of funding vehicles and investment providers (vendors).

Payroll deductions for contributions to the ÆÞÓÑÉçÇø Foundation are allowed. The employee's contribution must total at least $8 to qualify for payroll deduction. Written authorization must be submitted to the payroll office 15 days prior to the first deduction.