Moving quickly to implement the findings of a comprehensive study and analysis of its ability to recruit and retain a high-quality workforce, the school board, at their meeting on October 27, 2022, approved recommendations from the Department of Human Resources to move forward with a series of pay increases for key positions beginning in December. Please read our October 28 news release for details! Continue reading
Monthly Archives: October 2022
Message from the CFO: Reconciliation of VRS Accounts
The following message was issued from Nelsie Birch, Chief Financial Officer for Albemarle County, on Friday, October 28, 2022:
I am writing to share that an audit of payments to the Virginia Retirement System (VRS) has revealed that an internal system error has resulted in a need to reconcile some employee VRS accounts due to an underpayment or overpayment of the required member contribution (5% of your regular pay). This will result in the need to deduct additional contributions from employees who had an insufficient amount of contributions deducted from their pay and to refund member contributions that were in excess of the required 5%. About half of our employees are impacted by this, and the predominant amount to be deducted or refunded is under $10. Continue reading
HR Weekly Update: Be Prepared for the Start of Open Enrollment on Nov. 1!
This year’s Open Enrollment is a BIG one! This November 1-15, all benefits-eligible employees are REQUIRED to log in to ADP and either elect or decline benefits like medical/dental/Flexible Spending Accounts for next year. Also, this is the first time we’ll be using ADP for the Open Enrollment process. That’s a lot going on, so here are some tips to help you sail through the Open Enrollment window: Continue reading
It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month!
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month! That makes now the perfect time to bring awareness to ways you can protect yourself online as threats to technology and confidential data become more commonplace. Please keep reading for best practices that ACPS Technology promotes: Continue reading
Mental Health First Aid Training Opportunity on Nov. 2
Interested in supporting students who are experiencing mental health challenges? Consider signing up for Albemarle County Public Schools’ Mental Health First Aid training, open to all staff. Right now, there are 17 seats still available in our next course coming up on Wednesday, November 2. You can register online through the Professional Learning Management System (PLMS). To learn more about this training, please see our September 27 Compass post.
Making Connections Website Is Live & Registration Is Open!
On Monday, November 7, we will host our annual Making Connections professional learning conference. Sessions for teachers, school counselors, safety coaches, mental health coaches, and administrators will be held at Monticello High School. Coffee will be available in the cafeteria beginning at 8 a.m. and lunch will be provided. The first session will start at 8:30 a.m., and the final session will end at 3:30 p.m. Sessions for teaching assistants, office associates, and other support staff will be held at Albemarle High School. (This is a change!) Breakfast will be provided in the cafeteria at 8 a.m., and sessions will run from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. (Note: Full-time staff should check with their supervisor regarding plans for the remainder of the day.) Continue reading
ACPS Seeking Representatives for New Employee Voice and Action Committee (EVAAC)
Human Resources is pleased to announce the creation of the new Employee Voice and Action Committee (EVAAC). This employee focus group is intended as a means of mutual interaction between management and staff to provide staff a resonant voice in the operation of Albemarle County Public Schools. Input and feedback from the EVAAC will be shared with the school board and superintendent to guide decision-making around policy and operational decisions affecting student needs, school and department climate, and working conditions for all employees across schools and departments. We invite you to learn more about the EVAAC process and review frequently asked questions about the work of the committee. Continue reading
Division PLC Schedule for Oct. 27
Teachers: We are looking forward to Division Professional Learning Community (DPLC) meetings this Thursday, October 27. Please click here for all the details, including the meeting schedule, Zoom links, session guides, and registration information. Please direct any questions to your lead coach.
Open Enrollment Is Coming: Start Preparing Now!
Our annual Open Enrollment window will be live Tuesday, November 1 – Tuesday, November 15. This year, ALL benefits-eligible employees must log in to ADP to either enroll in or decline benefits for the 2023 plan year, including medical and dental insurance, as well as flexible spending and health savings accounts. Participation in Open Enrollment is required, as current medical/dental and Flexible Spending Account elections will NOT automatically renew for 2023.
For a summary of what to expect and some helpful tips, check out our Open Enrollment video featuring Dan Redding, Executive Director of Human Resources, and Claudine Cloutier, Program Manager for Benefits:
Good news! You don’t have to wait for Open Enrollment to review your options. Check out our Compass post on What You Need to Know About 2023 Benefits Options or visit our Open Enrollment info site!
Plan Now for a More Comfortable Retirement
The sooner you start planning for retirement, the easier it can be. If you wait, it could take much more per pay period to achieve the same goal. Let’s get started! Our Nationwide Retirement Specialist, Lynn Robinette, is offering virtual consultations the week of October 31 – November 4, and again December 5-9. Continue reading