Human Resources Frequently Asked Questions
The forms mentioned below are available in the Form Center of our website for download.
Payroll
How do I change my deductions (withholding)?
There are forms available in the HR office and in the on-line Form Center. Complete the form and return to HR. Depending where we are in the pay schedule cycle your changes will become effective within the next two pays.
Who do I contact with questions about the amount of my check?
Saline Schools payroll questions may be directed to Kendra Kokelaar.
GMS employees should call Kendra if they question the total number of hours for which they are being paid. Questions pertaining to anything else, withholdings, total deductions etc. should be directed to Good Marks for Schools (See GMS section below).
Who do I contact with questions on my W2 form?
The best method of contact with any questions is email. You may email staff directly* or send an email to the HR Department
. Either way we will respond as quickly as possible to your question.
Saline Area Schools - Kendra Kokelaar
Good Marks for Schools (GMS) - See GMS section below
How do I get my On-line Payroll password if I have forgotten it?
Send an email to HR Department and someone will respond to you promptly.
Who is my contact if I have 403b questions?
If your question pertains to a Board Paid TSA the information below applies.
For SEA contact John Hanchak
For ESP please consult the list of approved vendors and contact them directly.
If your question pertains to your personal 403b account please contact your approved vendor (i.e. Thrivent, Templeton) directly.
How often are we paid?
We are paid every two weeks. A complete list of paydays may be found on the SAS Online Payroll System login page. Pay #5 (9/4/2009) is the first new pay for teaching staff. All 21 pay teachers' last pay is #25 on 6/11/2010.
Benefits
When is open enrollment for health insurance?
Open Enrollment is the month of August with changes going into effect on October 1st.
What if my spouse loses his/her insurance? Do I have to wait for open enrollment?
No. If your spouse looses his/her coverage you can switch to our plan within 30 days of cancellation with proper documentation.
How do I add a new baby to my insurance policy?
You have 30 days after the birth to add the baby. Contact Lana Mayfield, in Human Resources. She will send you a change form to be completed and returned. Lana will submit it to the appropriate provider/s for you.
Who is my Dental Insurance Provider?
SEA Members
MESSA Dental Plan C with an O-1 orthodontic rider (more specific information on this rider is available in your contract). Delta Dental may be reached on their website or by calling 800-482-8915.
ESP Members
All support staff are covered under MEBS. Their contact information is through the MEBS website or by calling 800-968-6327.
Who is my Vision Insurance Provider?
SEA Members
All SEA members (teaching staff) are covered under MESSA Vision Service Plan (VSP2) for vision services. Plan #2. They can be reached at www.vsp.com or by phone 800-877-7195.
ESP Members
All ESP members (support staff) are covered under MEBS. Their contact information is through their website, MEBS.com or by phone 800-968-6327.
I'm in the SEA (teacher union) and I'd like to know how to be reimbursed for some vision claims, how do I do that?
You need to mail your paid, itemized receipt to VSP at P.O. Box 997105 Sacramento, CA 95899-7105. Include your name/SSN, patient's name/birth date, employer name.
When can I sign up or re-enroll in the flexible spending account program (FSA)?
During open enrollment which is the month of August. You sign up during August and the plan runs October 1st through September 30th each year.
I have a prescription that I take on a regular basis. I want to refill it through the mail order program to save money and time, do we have that option?
Yes, all of our medical plans offer the mail order program for your maintenance Rx. No trips to the pharmacy and less copays. Contact Lana Mayfield at ext. 2033 to get the proper forms.
How do I buy years of service through the Office of Retirement?
Go to the ORS web site at www.michigan.gov/ors to learn all about this program. You can view a 'webinar' on this site. You can also call the ORS at #1-800-381-5111.
I'm thinking about retirement, what do I do now?
All questions on retirement should be directed to the Office of Retirement Services. Their Office of Retirement Services (ORS) website is very informative, but if you cannot find what you are looking for on the website. Their contact information is:
ESP Members
All ESP members (support staff) are covered under MEBS. Their contact information is through their website, MEBS.com or by phone 800-968-6327.
I'm in the SEA (teacher union) and I'd like to know how to be reimbursed for some vision claims, how do I do that?
You need to mail your paid, itemized receipt to VSP at P.O. Box 997105 Sacramento, CA 95899-7105. Include your name/SSN, patient's name/birth date, employer name.
When can I sign up or re-enroll in the flexible spending account program (FSA)?
During open enrollment which is the month of August. You sign up during August and the plan runs October 1st through September 30th each year.
I have a prescription that I take on a regular basis. I want to refill it through the mail order program to save money and time, do we have that option?
Yes, all of our medical plans offer the mail order program for your maintenance Rx. No trips to the pharmacy and less copays. Contact Lana Mayfield at ext. 2033 to get the proper forms.
How do I buy years of service through the Office of Retirement?
Go to the ORS web site at www.michigan.gov/ors to learn all about this program. You can view a 'webinar' on this site. You can also call the ORS at #1-800-381-5111.
I'm thinking about retirement, what do I do now?
All questions on retirement should be directed to the Office of Retirement Services. Their Office of Retirement Services (ORS) website is very informative, but if you cannot find what you are looking for on the website. Their contact information is:
The ORS Customer Contact Center is open for phone calls Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
Lansing area telephone number: (517) 322-5103
From outside the Lansing area: (800) 381-5111
From outside the Lansing area: (800) 381-5111
I would like to take a personal business day before/after a holiday. Can I do that?
SEA Members (taken from the SEA contract)
SEA Members (taken from the SEA contract)
1. Personal Days & Holidays: Personal Business days may be used before or after a holiday if they are approved in advance (in writing, to the Executive Director of Human Resources) and if the reasons fall into special categories listed below:
- You are observing a religious holiday.
- You or members of your family are to be in a wedding. You are to participate in rehearsal activities (for the wedding) and the wedding is scheduled over a holiday, i.e., Labor Day, Thanksgiving, etc) The District does not wish to penalize the employee because a wedding was planned over a holdiay, and the employee had no control over the date.
- A death in the family occurs, and as a result of the relatives' traveling distances, the memorial service id scheduled near a holiday.
- A parent or close family member is scheduled to undergo surgery or a medical procedure; or a parent or close family member is being released from a medical facility on the day before or after a holiday.
- Your spouse is being given a special award in a ceremony that is planned before and/or after the holiday weekend and you must travel out of town.
- Others, at the discretion of the Superintendent or his/her designee.
2. Building Closed: If the building is closed due to unforseen curcumstances such as inclemeent weather, power outages, etc. , and the employees are told not to report for work, an employee who had previously scheduled a personal business day will not be charged for that day.
3. Conversion of Personal Business Day: If a teacher has used all their sick days, they may convert a personal business day into a sick day.
4. Trade Sick for Personal Business Days: If a teacher utilizes his/her two personal business days prior to the end of the school year and an emergency arises, the teacher may trade two of his/her accrued sick leave days for one additional personal business day. This provision allows for a maximum of two additional personal business days. The teacher must make written application to the appropriate principal in advance of taking such days.
An emergency includes deaths or illness not included in Article XVI, Sick Days, legal business or family business, that cannot be conducted at other reasonable times.
5. Unused Personal Business Days: Teachers with unused personal business day(s) remaining at the end of the school year shall have the option of either of the following:
3. Conversion of Personal Business Day: If a teacher has used all their sick days, they may convert a personal business day into a sick day.
4. Trade Sick for Personal Business Days: If a teacher utilizes his/her two personal business days prior to the end of the school year and an emergency arises, the teacher may trade two of his/her accrued sick leave days for one additional personal business day. This provision allows for a maximum of two additional personal business days. The teacher must make written application to the appropriate principal in advance of taking such days.
An emergency includes deaths or illness not included in Article XVI, Sick Days, legal business or family business, that cannot be conducted at other reasonable times.
5. Unused Personal Business Days: Teachers with unused personal business day(s) remaining at the end of the school year shall have the option of either of the following:
a. To have any unused day(s) added to sick leave accumulation under Article XVI(B); or
b. Upon notice to the business office not later than the las scheduled teacher workday, receive $100.00 per day for any unused day(s).
b. Upon notice to the business office not later than the las scheduled teacher workday, receive $100.00 per day for any unused day(s).
ESP Members (taken from the ESP contract)
Restrictions on Personal Business Days: No personal business days may be taken except in case of emergency, immediately before or after a holiday. An employee is not entitled to use personal business days as part of a vacation or couple personal business days with unpaid leave to extend a vacation.
- A Personal Business Day may be used before or after a hliday if they are approved in advance (in writing, to the Executive Director for Human Resources) and if the reason falls into one of the special categories listed below:
- You are observing a religious holiday
- You or members of your family are to be in a wedding. You are to participate in rehearsal activities (for the wedding) and the wedding is scheduled over a holdiay, and the employee had no control over the date.
- A death in the family occurs and, as a result of the relatives' traveling distances, the memorial service is scheduled near a holiday.
- A parent or close family member is scheduled to undergo surgery or a medical procedure; or a parent or close family member is being released from a medical facility on the day before or after a holiday
- Your emediate family member is being given a special award in a ceremony or they are to participate in a special event that is planned before and/or after the holiday weekend (which the employee had no control over) and you must travel out ot town.
GMS
How do I contact GMS if I have a question regarding my paycheck, W4s, W2, etc?
Who do I contact with questions regarding insurance?
Good Marks for Schools
102 E. Michigan Ave
Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-2438
Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-2438
Human Resources
What do I do if I have a name change?
Neither the Human Resources Department nor the Technology Department can change anything until you have a new Social Security card issued with your new name. Once you have the card please bring it to the HR office and we will make a copy and officially change your name in our system. We will also contact the IT department. They will contact you about your new user id.
How do I view my personnel file?
You may call the HR Coordinator, Kendra Kokelaar at x2014 to make an appointment.
I've forgotten my AESOP password, who do I call?
Contact Karen Healy in payroll at extension 2004.
How do I check my seniority?
The seniority lists (SEA and ESP) are located on the district website under the Human Resources Department. You will find links to both lists there, a district login is required. Questions regarding your seniority should be addressed to Kitty Coryell
Can I get a copy of my labor contract? Where?
Contact your association president or download it from the Staff Only Forms Center (login required)
I am retiring, who should I call?
Contact the Office of Retirement Services (ORS) at 1-800-381-5111 or on line at www.michigan.gov/orsAn employee has been injured on the job. What should happen next?
- If the injury is life threatening 9-1-1 should be called immediately. All other injured employees should contact their immediate supervisor to report the injury.
- The injured employee should take the completed Concentra Authorization form to Concentra, our approved provider.
- The injured employee and/or should complete an Accident Report (also available in the Form Center) within 24 hours of the injury.
- The completed Accident Report should then be faxed to the Human Resources Department (#8092). Completing these steps within the first 24 hours greatly reduces the District's cost.
- If a child is injured, use the same accidient report and forward it to the Business Office.
- If a GMS or PESG employee is injured, they should contact those entities directly to report their injury.
I have completed my Master's or Master's +30. What do I need to do to receive my raise?
Your pay for the school year is based on classes/degrees completed before the first day of school. Your pay increase will not appear in your paycheck until the HR office receives an original copy of your transcripts. If the transcripts are received (for classes taken before school begins) after the first pay your increase will be retroactive to the first official pay of the school year. Please have all transcripts sent from the school to:
Teacher Certification and Degree information
My teaching certificate is going to expire this year. What do I need to do?
Official information is available on the Michigan Department of Education website. Please refer all questions regarding renewal of teaching certificates to the Michigan Department of Education. The site provides a comprehensive list of the staff member in charge of each area. This list is called Teacher Certification Contacts. Their website has a guide entitled Facts About Teacher Certification that contains detailed information about requirements for each renewal and individual certification. A quick summary of that information is below. This summary is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to certificate renewal and all decisions on certification renewal are made by the Office of Professional Preparation. Please refer to the link for Teacher Certification Contacts for the person appropriate to your certification.
I just received my new teaching certificate in the mail. What do I do with it?
By law, an original copy of your teaching certificate must be kept in your personnel file in Human Resources. When you receive your new/renewed certificate please have it notarized. Currently, Mandy Rucky, Karen Healy and Eileen Owen are notaries and can do this for you. Do not sign the certificate until you are in the presence of the notary.
After it is notarized please bring the original certificate marked "Employer Copy" to the Human Resources Department to be kept in your file. If you should leave the district your original transcripts and teaching certificate/s will be returned to you.
I have heard that there is a new reading requirement in order to obtain my Professional Certificate, I already have my Master's do I still have to take the reading course?
There seems to be much confusion regarding this so the SAS Department of Human Resources called the Michigan Department of Ed for clarification. They have confirmed the following:
Anyone who has not obtained their Professional certification before July 1, 2009, without exception, MUST complete the requirements listed below. The complete list of qualifications for all teaching certificates should always be confirmed with an official from the Department of Education. Teacher Certification Contacts The paragraph below has been copied from the MDE website for your convenience.
Can I use SB-CEU credit toward my certificate renewal or new certificate?
SB-CEU credit may ONLY be used for renewal of the Professional Certificate. Any time you have a question as to the validity of a course the final authority is MDE. Do not assume that it will count. Check it out first! Teacher Certification Contacts .
If you have other questions you would like to see answered on this page, please contact us.
Your pay for the school year is based on classes/degrees completed before the first day of school. Your pay increase will not appear in your paycheck until the HR office receives an original copy of your transcripts. If the transcripts are received (for classes taken before school begins) after the first pay your increase will be retroactive to the first official pay of the school year. Please have all transcripts sent from the school to:
Ann Callan, Executive Director of Human Resources
Saline Area Schools
200 N. Ann Arbor Street
Saline, Michigan 48176
Saline Area Schools
200 N. Ann Arbor Street
Saline, Michigan 48176
Teacher Certification and Degree information
My teaching certificate is going to expire this year. What do I need to do?
Official information is available on the Michigan Department of Education website. Please refer all questions regarding renewal of teaching certificates to the Michigan Department of Education. The site provides a comprehensive list of the staff member in charge of each area. This list is called Teacher Certification Contacts. Their website has a guide entitled Facts About Teacher Certification that contains detailed information about requirements for each renewal and individual certification. A quick summary of that information is below. This summary is not intended to be a comprehensive guide to certificate renewal and all decisions on certification renewal are made by the Office of Professional Preparation. Please refer to the link for Teacher Certification Contacts for the person appropriate to your certification.
I just received my new teaching certificate in the mail. What do I do with it?
By law, an original copy of your teaching certificate must be kept in your personnel file in Human Resources. When you receive your new/renewed certificate please have it notarized. Currently, Mandy Rucky, Karen Healy and Eileen Owen are notaries and can do this for you. Do not sign the certificate until you are in the presence of the notary.
After it is notarized please bring the original certificate marked "Employer Copy" to the Human Resources Department to be kept in your file. If you should leave the district your original transcripts and teaching certificate/s will be returned to you.
I have heard that there is a new reading requirement in order to obtain my Professional Certificate, I already have my Master's do I still have to take the reading course?
There seems to be much confusion regarding this so the SAS Department of Human Resources called the Michigan Department of Ed for clarification. They have confirmed the following:
Anyone who has not obtained their Professional certification before July 1, 2009, without exception, MUST complete the requirements listed below. The complete list of qualifications for all teaching certificates should always be confirmed with an official from the Department of Education. Teacher Certification Contacts The paragraph below has been copied from the MDE website for your convenience.
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATE – (Michigan’s advanced teaching certificate)
• Requires completion of 18 semester hours in a planned course of study after the
issuance of an approved initial teaching certificate (or an approved master’s
degree earned at any time), and 3 years of successful teaching experience.
• Must also meet the reading requirement (6 semester hours of teaching of reading
or reading methods for elementary and 3 semester hours for secondary).
• Valid for up to 5 years.
• After July 1, 2009, requires completion of an additional reading course with
appropriate field experiences in diagnosis, remediation of reading disabilities,
and differentiated instruction.
Reading Requirements Approved Course List
issuance of an approved initial teaching certificate (or an approved master’s
degree earned at any time), and 3 years of successful teaching experience.
• Must also meet the reading requirement (6 semester hours of teaching of reading
or reading methods for elementary and 3 semester hours for secondary).
• Valid for up to 5 years.
• After July 1, 2009, requires completion of an additional reading course with
appropriate field experiences in diagnosis, remediation of reading disabilities,
and differentiated instruction.
Reading Requirements Approved Course List
(7/1/2009)
Can I use SB-CEU credit toward my certificate renewal or new certificate?
SB-CEU credit may ONLY be used for renewal of the Professional Certificate. Any time you have a question as to the validity of a course the final authority is MDE. Do not assume that it will count. Check it out first! Teacher Certification Contacts .
If you have other questions you would like to see answered on this page, please contact us.
Helpful MDE Resources
MDE Definition of Highly Qualified
MDE "What Every Teacher Should Know About Highly Qualified"
Teacher Certification Reference Manual
Teacher Certification Forms
Teacher Certification Verification
