November 22, 2010

TRANSFER PERIOD FOR HEALTH COVERAGE ENDS ON NOVEMBER 30
You can now go online both to review your current coverage information and to change that coverage. Access is through the Employee Self-Service System, as the city’s Health Benefits Administration advised members by DOE email. Login instructions are in the email. Those unable to access the system can fax their changes directly to the Department of Education at 718-935-5125. Note that this is the last year that faxes or paper copies will be accepted.


TRANSITCHEK
The expansion of the New York City TransitChek Program is finally here. The city has selected WageWorks as a provider, and the expanded benefit now covers many more mass transit carriers, such as the LIRR, MetroNorth, PATH and NJ Transit.

The program, which allows city employees to pay for commuting costs with pre-tax dollars, now also includes parking costs at mass transit stations. The new plan goes into effect at different times depending on your current TransitChek plan. Watch for details on all the plans in the Nov. 25 issue of the New York Teacher. Members who haven’t previously been enrolled in the Commuter Benefits Program but would like to join now that the program has expanded can do so beginning Dec. 1. Members will be able to enroll online via the DOE’s payroll portal effective Dec. 1.


FOR THOSE WITHOUT COMPUTERS
For employees who do not own a computer, the DOE implemented a new Payroll Interactive Voice Response System (IVR). This system is for the Q Bank, per diem, per session and H Bank payrolls. All members will now be able to access their payroll check information by telephone as well as the DOE’s employee information system via the Payroll Portal. Employees will also be able to submit a payroll inquiry that will be forwarded to the appropriate payroll office for follow-up. The number for the IVR telephone system is 718-935-3300. Call Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On telephone payroll inquiries, you will only be contacted during the day from Monday through Friday.


OPPOSE THE RELEASE OF TEACHER DATA REPORTS
Do you oppose the public release of Teacher Data Reports? Voice your opposition by signing the petition, “Our Teachers Are Not Test Scores!” sponsored by Time Out From Testing. Let the public know that you support meaningful teacher evaluations but believe that the TDRs are an unreliable and inaccurate gauge of teacher quality and that their public release will encourage even more test prep in our schools. Go to:

http://timeoutfromtesting.org/notdr/


PARKING PERMITS
The DOT will not issue us two additional permits (like they did last year) at this time. The DOE has taken note of my request and will notify me if the situation changes. Therefore, we only have 18 permits. Please play by the rules and sign for your permit when you arrive and when you return it prior to going home. And falsely accusing a colleague of keeping passes makes for a hostile environment. Remember, all schools employees (UFT, assistant principals, DC37 and custodians) may use the permits.


TEACHER’S CHOICE DEPOSITS
Teacher’s Choice stipends will go out in December. For most teachers who are enrolled in direct deposit, their stipends will be electronically transferred to their accounts on Thursday, Dec. 9. First-year teachers who have not enrolled in direct deposit yet will receive a new debit card with the stipend amount together with the Dec. 15 paycheck.

If you received a debit card in the past, be sure to check that your current card is activated before Dec. 1 or any funds remaining on the card will expire, the card will be canceled and the DOE will not be able to replenish it. Cards activated by Dec. 1 will retain any funds now on the card and the DOE will add this year’s stipend to it on Dec. 15.

If you have any questions about your debit card, please call the DOE’s Office of Special Projects at 1-718-935-3304. If you have lost or destroyed last year’s card, you must contact Chase Customer Service at 1-866-795-3890 for a replacement card. You are entitled to one free replacement every year.


SALARY DIFFERENTIAL
If you completed courses over the summer that qualify you for a salary differential, be sure to apply for the extra payment within six months or the salary increase will not be retroactive to your date of eligibility. The DOE now requires an online application process. You can access the application form by going to the DOE’s payroll portal system. Click on Payroll Portal Main Page, then fill out the login information on the left and click on Salary Differential “Documents.” Finally, click on the online form link. If you are using the online application for the first time, you must enter your Bachelor of Arts information first.

Each application will receive a tracking number. Print out your completed application. Keep one copy for your records; submit another copy to the DOE together with your original transcripts, which the DOE will evaluate, This process takes from four to six weeks to complete. You will receive a Certificate of Salary Differential via email indicating which differential you were granted and its effective date.


NEXT CHAPTER MEETING
Our next chapter meeting will be on Wednesday, November 24 during the three lunch periods with District 32 representative Kathy Sharko.