September 2012 Newsletter

Click here to view the September 2012 Northshore News, NSEA's newsletter.

Use Your TRI Pay For Tuition and Save on Taxes

If you are taking college classes, other work-related training/courses, or going to a work-related conference this school year (September 1, 2012 through August 31, 2013), you can get reimbursed on a pre-tax basis by the District from your salary. It will reimburse you for tuition, fees, and related materials (books, etc. used in the course). As no FICA, federal taxes, pension contributions, etc. will be deducted from this amount, that means a savings of about 25% for you.

There is no risk to creating a pre-tax tuition account. Any funds you do not use for courses will be refunded to you (minus taxes) on your August 2013 paycheck.

Here’s how to do this—the deadline to notify NSD is Monday, October 1st: 

• Estimate the amount of money you will spend between September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013 
• Fill out the Conversion Request form and turn it in to Lance Andahl (landahl@nsd.org) in the Human Resources Office by Monday, October 1st. 
• The amount of money that you put on the form will be deducted from your TRI pay (Time, Responsibility, and Incentive pay, the locally negotiated pay of $7,073 to $14,476 annually that is funded from the local levy) over the next 11 months. You can deduct any amount up to a maximum of your TRI pay. The District holds your money, and will reimburse you for your expenses on a pre-tax basis. (See page 168 of your Agreement to see how much TRI you get.) 
• You pay the college or conference as you normally would. 
• You submit proof of payment to Human Resources. You may do so up to three times per year. Your last submission must be by July 15, 2013 in order to receive reimbursement on a pre-tax basis. 
• Any remaining funds withheld by the District will be PAID to you in your August pay, minus taxes. 

This Pre-Tax Tuition Reimbursement Program is part of our collective bargaining agreement, and will be in effect every year in the future, unless the contract changes or IRS rules change. It is Article 29 of the CBA, on page 77.

Are You New to Northshore?

If you're a new (or new-ish!) educator in the Northshore School District, you are invited!  Please join us at the NSEA New Teacher Dinner on Monday, October 15th from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Courtyard Hall (Country Village).  RSVP today to Lydia King (lking@washingtonea.org). 

Click here to see the flyer for this event. 

Sign Up For A Retirement Seminar!

It's never too early to start planning for retirement!  The Cascade UniServ Council will be sponsoring retirement seminars for members in Northshore, Edmonds, and Shoreline once again this year.  These seminars are very popular!  They're designed for union members who are planning for retirement--at any stage of his/her career-- and is presented by qualified WEA-Retired representatives.

Topics covered include Social Security, Medicare, health care, long term care, VEBA, financial planning, estate planning, deferred compensation, staff retirement, and much more!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Seminar Time/Dates/Location
The workshop is a total of 10 hours over two days.  Dinner will be provided on Friday night; breakfast and lunch will be served on Saturday.

Time: Friday: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm AND Saturday: 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

• Friday, October 19th and Saturday, October 20th (Edmonds EA Office)
• Friday, November 30th and Saturday, December 1 (WEA-Cascade UniServ Council Office)
• Friday, December 7th and Saturday, December 8th (WEA-Cascade UniServ Council Office)
• Friday, January 25th and Saturday, January 26th (WEA-Cascade UniServ Council Office)
• Friday, February 1st and Saturday, February 2nd (WEA-Cascade UniServ Council Office)
• Friday, March 29th and Saturday, March 30th (WEA-Cascade UniServ Council Office)  

Registration

• Registration is required and space is limited.  To register, click here.
• A separate registration form and payment is required for each participant.
• Registration is on a First Come, First Served basis.
• Registration is not accepted by phone or email.
• Each seminar must have at least 20 attendees or the seminar will be cancelled.
• In event of cancellation, registrants will have first pick of other available dates.
• A registration confirmation will be emailed once paperwork is processed.
• Once a seminar is full, a waiting list will be started for that date.  If space is available, a confirmation notice will be emailed within 48 hours of the seminar.
• No refunds for cancellation within 48 hours of seminar date or no shows.

Cost

• WEA Member: $45
• WEA-Retired Member: $35
• Spouse (if space is available): $45
• Cost includes meals and handouts.  Make check payable to WEA Cascade UniServ Council.

See the official registration form for more information about spouses and clock hours.