Salary
Teachers’ salaries are determined by training and experience. New teachers will be placed at the appropriate level on the district’s approved salary schedule. They will be given full credit for training and experience received in other accredited school districts or institutions, subject to approval by the State Board for Educator Certification.

Contracts
Teachers in the district are subject to the Probationary and Continuing Contract Laws as passed by the 74th Texas Legislature. Under this arrangement, teachers receive one-year probationary contracts for the first three years of employment. A continuing contract will be offered to teachers who have completed three successful years of service in the district. Probationary contracts are voted on each year by the Board of Trustees. Once a continuing contract is issued, the Board does not vote on it again unless there is to be a change in status of the contract.

Increments
Salary increments are granted to employees based on the salary schedule approved for the school district by the Board of Trustees.

Payroll
All employees receive paychecks bimonthly, for a total of 24 pay periods. Electronic deposit of payroll checks is available for all employees who are on the regular payroll.

Hours of Work
The standard workday begins at 8:00 a.m. and continues until 4:00 p.m. Because of transportation schedules, some schools have times that differ.

Health Coverage
The district offers enrollment in a triple option self-funded Premier/CORE/EPO plan. All policies provide hospitalization and surgical benefits, preventative care benefits, and life insurance benefits. The employee’s monthly premium is supplemented by a fixed amount paid by the district. Insurance coverage selected by employees begins the first day of employment. Employees must select insurance coverage within 31 days of employment.

COBRA
The district complies with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA). Under COBRA, when participants lose eligibility for health insurance coverage because of certain events, eligible participants may elect to retain group benefits.

Life Insurance
All district-sponsored health plans include $30,000 life insurance for district employees enrolled in a district sponsored health insurance program. Additional coverage is available on an optional basis.

Medicare Coverage
Congress passed legislation March 20, 1986, which requires mandatory Medicare contributions from school district employees hired after April 1, 1986. These contributions will be applied to Medicare, Part A, which provides hospitalization insurance. Part B of Medicare, which pays for the physician’s expenses, is available at an additional monthly premium to Medicare recipients when they become eligible for Part A benefits.

Disability Insurance
The district offers an optional income protection plan. Employees of the district may select from different levels of protection through an approved provider.

Dental Insurance
The district offers two optional dental plans to all full-time employees. Employees are responsible for the total premium for the plan selected. Dental insurance is provided by CompBenefits, Inc. There are two dental options from which to choose.

DHMO: This is an affordable plan that features no deductibles, no preexisting conditions, and no claim forms. To use the plan, you must select a dentist from the providers list. Upon your visit, you pay a predetermined reduced fee directly to the dentist. Rates per pay period are:

Employee only: $4.68 Employee + spouse: $9.70
Employee + child(ren): $12.24 Employee + family: $ 15.03

INDEMNITY: This is a traditional insurance plan that requires you to pay an annual deductible and then share in a percentage of the dental costs. The plan allows for the freedom to choose any dentist of your choice. Rates per pay period are:

Employee only: $13.20 Employee + spouse: $ 25.27
Employee + child(ren): $ 32.14 Employee + family: $ 37.37

Vision Insurance
The district offers coverage to all full-time employees. Employees are responsible for the total premium for any plan selected. The plan utilizes certain participating facilities and provides coverage for vision correction.

Superior Vision offers an economical way to purchase eye examinations, eyeglasses, and contact lenses from member doctors. At the time of your visit, you generally only pay a $10.00 co-payment for your examination and another $10.00 co-payment for your glasses. Additional services requested may result in additional charges. Rates per pay period are:

Employee only: $4.43 Employee and spouse $9.49
Employee and child(ren): $9.25
Employee and family: $13.99

Cancer Insurance
A family or individual cancer plan is available on an optional basis. The plan provides benefits that are payable directly to the patient. Employees may elect to cover their spouse and/or dependents.

Workers’ Compensation
The district provides workers’ compensation coverage for all employees while on duty. All accidents must be reported to the immediate supervisor within 24 hours after occurrence.

Section 125 "Cafeteria Plan"
The "Cafeteria" plan is a plan that allows for a tax savings when the costs of certain insurance coverages are deducted from gross salary. Reducing gross salary reduces the amount of earnings on which federal income taxes are calculated and deducted. As a result, the amount of taxes that the employee is required to pay and to have withheld from his/her paycheck is reduced. Certain restrictions involving changing benefits during the plan year apply. Please consult your employee benefits office for more details.

Additional tax savings are realized by participating in either or both of the following plans:

Medical Expense Reimbursement Plan: This is a plan that allows for a tax savings on most medical, dental, and vision expenses not covered by insurance. Non-covered expenses apply to all family members even if not covered by a particular insurance plan. The employee estimates an annual election based upon the amount of non-covered expenses to be incurred. The annual election amount is deducted in equal amounts from each paycheck, before taxes are calculated, and then set aside for the employee in a special account. A MasterCard debit card will be issued to you to pay for most expenses incurred.

Dependent Care Expenses: This is a plan that allows for a tax savings on day care expenses for children under the age of 13 and for dependent adults unable to care for themselves. The employee estimates an annual election for the amount of expenses for be incurred. The annual election amount is deducted in equal amounts from each paycheck, before taxes are calculated, and then set aside in a special account for the employee.

Section 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The 457 plan is a district-sponsored voluntary retirement savings plan that allows an employee to save money for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. The plan features top performing funds with low expense ratios. There are no surrender charges or penalties upon distribution. The plan contains most of the same features of the 403(b) plan, but is different in one unique way. Distributions from the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan are not subject to the 10% IRS excise tax for early withdrawal. In 2007, you can contribute 100% of your includible compensation, up to $15,500, whichever is less. If you are age 50 or older, you can contribute up to an additional $5,000 for a total of $20,500. See a Paragon representative for more infomration or log on to www.TheRetirementSolutionOnline.com.

Section 403(b) Tax Deferred Retirement Savings Plan
Section 403(b) is a voluntary retirement savings plan that allows an employee to save money for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. There are different types of investments to choose from and a number of representatives who are available to assist the employee in establishing a 403(b) retirement plan. In 2007, you can contribute 100% of your includible compensation, up to $15,500, whichever is less. If you are ago 50 or older, you can contribute up to an additional $5,000 for a total of $20,500. Consult the Teacher's Retirement System website for a list of approved companies.

State Personal Leave
Employees of the district are granted five state days of personal leave each year with no limit on accumulation.

Local Leave
Employees of the district are granted five days of local sick leave each year with no limit on accumulation. The district also has a Catastrophic Sick Leave Bank in which all employees may participate.

Bereavement (Funeral) Leave
Up to five days per occurrence may be granted for death in the immediate family subject to the approval of the supervisor/principal. These days are not subtracted from state or local days from an employee's balance.

Jury Duty/Court Summons Leave
Employees receive no penalty for jury duty or school-related court summons with proper verification of service.

Community Resource Credit Union
All employees are eligible for membership. Its purpose is to encourage employees to save systematically through payroll deductions and regular deposits. Credit union certificates, low-cost loans, and other financial services are also available.

Tuition-Free Attendance
Children of nonresident district employees may attend the school where the parent is employed, provided a letter of request has been approved by the Assistant Superintendent of Personnel/Student Services.

Tax-Sheltered Annuities
Employees may participate in a Tax-Sheltered Annuity Plan. Under federal laws, annuity amounts are not taxable until withdrawn (usually upon retirement). Employees may elect to participate in a 403 B plan or a 457 Deferred Compensation plan.

Cafeteria Plan
The cafeteria plan allows an employee to pay for specified benefits on a “pre-tax” or “before-tax” basis. Participation in the plan creates an immediate tax savings, thereby resulting in lower income taxes and greater take-home pay. Due to IRS Code, all annual elections stay the same during the entire Plan Year. Neither the amount of your deductions nor the items elected for coverage may change.

TRS Death Benefits
Death benefits coverage begins the day a member begins work and is retained even though the member is (1) absent from service because of illness; or (2) within five years of being eligible to retire when leaving employment in a covered position.

Teacher Retirement System of Texas
All full-time employees of the district are automatically enrolled in the Teacher Retirement System (TRS) of Texas. Employees contribute a percentage of their gross annual salary, and the State of Texas contributes a percentage of the gross annual salaries of all members of the TRS.

Retirement Age
In normal age retirement, a member receives full formula benefits. However, there are several options for early-age retirement where a member may receive a reduced annuity. Benefits are determined based on the retiree’s age and number of years of service.

Insurance For Retirees
The Teacher Retirement System offers health insurance to retirees. The plan, offered at no cost, provides a basic level of coverage for TRS retirees not otherwise covered by any other state-funded group health insurance program. In addition to the basic coverage, the health plan provides basic and optional coverage for spouses, surviving spouses, and dependents. Optional coverage for retirees may be made available at additional cost.

Local Pension Plan
The district has a locally-funded Money Purchase Pension Plan for employees. The district contributes 6.65% of salary (up to the social security wage base) to the account of each employee in compliance with the terms of the plan. Employees become vested in the Pension Plan based on a two-year schedule. At the option of the employee, the 6.65% district contribution may be included in salary instead of the Pension account based on 80% for first year employment and 100% thereafter.

Mentor/Buddy Teacher
First-year teachers are assigned a mentor teacher to provide support and to ensure a great start and continued success throughout the year. New teachers to the district are provided buddy teachers to help them become familiar with the culture of Goose Creek.

Professional Organizations
There are a variety of organizations that are affiliated with local, state, and national teacher organizations. They offer a variety of services, one of the most significant being liability insurance. Most of these organizations participate in the district’s payroll deduction program for receipt of their dues. The employee’s participation in professional organizations is a matter of choice.

Professional Recognition
Employees in Goose Creek CISD are recognized in many ways. They may be recognized for their service based on the number of years with GCCISD. They may also be recognized by community groups for outstanding efforts. The district also has a Bell Award for teachers who sponsor students in state and national competitions and a stipend for teachers who publish/present at a professional conference.

Employee Handbook
A copy of an approved employee handbook is distributed to each new employee at hiring; with updates to follow.

School Board Policy, Administrative Guidelines
Manuals containing the policies of the Board of Trustees and the Administrative Guidelines are located on each campus in the learning resources center/library and in the principal’s office.

Staff/Professional Development
Goose Creek has made teacher development a high priority by devoting time for staff development. Teachers may also receive credit for some of these days by attending professional development on their own time.

Promotion Procedure
When a position of counselor, educational diagnostician, or administrative position becomes available, the Personnel Department sends out a posting of the vacancy that includes the requirements of the position and the procedure for application.