Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Report on Transitions in Charter School Leadership
This report is recommended reading for all staff and board members: http://www.crpe.org/cs/crpe/view/csr_pubs/350
Monday, December 6, 2010
Health insurance increases take effect January 2011
Dear Staff:
During the month of December I will be meeting with each of you individually to go over the increase in health insurance premiums that will take effect on January 1, 2011. As you remember, my September memo had a chart showing the increases by plan and provider. Several of you made changes in your coverage based on this information during the open enrollment period in October.
I also want to go over the general financial condition of the school with you. The budget continues to be frozen for the third year in a row as per the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. This means our salaries must remain frozen next year. When you were given the raise last year, it was clearly explained that this was the final salary increase, and that health insurance costs would go up for you.
The Board has voted to freeze all salaries at Elysian Charter School indefinitely. As you may have heard, President Obama has recently frozen all salaries of Federal employees, so we are not alone.
As the list below shows, Elysian Charter School has the highest median salary of any charter school in the State of New Jersey. Only one other school comes close but since they are in Newark they receive more than twice as much per pupil as we do. 86% of charter schools in New Jersey have a median teacher salary below $50,000. So we are frozen at a much higher level than other charters.
Elysian Charter School Of Hoboken $65,421
Team Academy Charter School $65,045
North Star Academy Charter School Of Newark $60,000
Jersey City Comm. Charter School $56,946
Princeton Charter School $56,688
Greater Newark Charter School $56,175
Robert Treat Academy Charter School $55,400
Freedom Academy Charter School $55,165
Englewood On The Palisades Charter School $53,519
Gray Charter School $53,000
Teaneck Community Charter School $52,000
Emily Fisher Charter School Of Advanced Studies $51,242
Foundation Academy Charter School $50,400
Marion P. Thomas Charter School $50,283
Capital Prepartory Charter High School $50,000
Unity Charter School $49,960
Sussex County Charter School For Technology $49,878
Oceanside Charter School $49,519
Soaring Heights Charter School $49,480
New Horizons Community Charter School $49,053
Discovery Charter School $49,000
East Orange Community Charter School $48,101
Learning Community Charter School $48,076
Jersey City Golden Door C. S. $47,867
University Heights Charter School $47,750
Village Charter School $47,750
Create Charter School $47,685
Academy Charter H.S. $46,750
University Academy Charter School $46,586
Hope Academy Charter School $46,500
Lady Liberty Academy Charter School $46,312
Camden Academy Charter High School $46,000
Community Charter School Of Paterson $46,000
Pride Academy Charter School $46,000
Greater Brunswick Charter School $45,600
Red Bank Charter School $45,457
Charter-Tech High School $45,318
Liberty Academy Charter School $45,179
Camden's Promise Charter School $45,000
Paterson Charter School For Science & Technology $45,000
Trenton Community Charter School $44,243
Leap Academy University Charter School $43,622
Schomburg Charter School $43,491
Central Jersey College Prep Cs $43,300
D.U.E. Season Charter School $43,163
Pace Charter School Of Hamilton $43,020
Galloway Community Charter School $42,901
Bergen Arts And Science Charter School $42,578
Union Co Teams Charter School $41,333
Pleasantech Academy Charter School $40,806
Central Jersey Arts Charter School $40,625
Hoboken Charter School $40,333
Queen City Academy Charter School $40,314
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School $40,000
Burch Charter School Of Excellence $40,000
Camden's Pride Charter School $40,000
Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School $39,374
Paul Robeson Cs For Humanities $39,300
International Charter School Of Trenton $38,996
Environment Community Opportunity Charter School $38,480
Ridge And Valley Charter School $36,745
Classical Academy Charter School Of Clifton $35,510
I hope it is clear that our finances will not permit further salary increases. As our rent and other expenses increase we will be forced to make further cuts since our funding will remain level.
However, as long as employees continue to absorb the increases in health insurance, the rent increases should be sustainable and the school is expected to remain in good fiscal condition. We can and will operate within our budgetary constraints. We can operate on $4 million, even if that amount does not increase.
Some staff mentioned concern about lack of supplies. There is no financial reason for a lack of supplies. Any teacher who needs supplies should submit a requisition, even if you have already expended your supply budget. We will make every effort to supply the classrooms as needed. These costs are miniscule in a $4 million dollar budget.
We are hopeful that at some point, funding will be increased. Here's a great letter to the editor in the Jersey Journal. Please note that due to the complexities of the formula, some charter schools in some cities in New Jersey are not adversely affected. Those which expanded to buy a building, like Learning Community Charter School, did not receive any more money even though they took in more students.
Imagine earning only 52 percent of your salary while doing as good or better than the rest of your co-workers. How would you feel? Would you talk to your boss to correct the injustice? Would you look for a new job? Would you go to a newspaper with this story? This feeling of thorough and objective injustice is what parents and students at Learning Community Charter School (LCCS) and other Jersey City charter schools have felt for the past three years. Since 2007, Jersey City charter schools have only received 52 percent of the funding of the local public schools. In dollar terms, each child in charter school has received $10,300 from the state per year, while his or her peer in a public school "has earned" $17,200 per year.
New Jersey's original law mandates that charter schools are to get 90 percent of the educational aid of public schools. However, charter schools receive 90 percent of only two portions of the educational funding pie. What the charters sorely miss out on is 90 percent of the over $100 million in adjustment aid. This aid, thanks to old-fashioned New Jersey state pork barrel politics, is now kept in the district. All apparently due to legislation quietly passed in Trenton over the 2007 Christmas holiday.
Despite the extreme financial odds placed on all the charter schools, the beautiful silver lining is the great academic success that LCCS and other charter schools have witnessed over the years. For example, in spring 2010, 50 percent of the LCCS eighth grade class was accepted into McNair Academic High School. LCCS outperforms the district on all the state standardized tests each year and offers a rich and progressive education. A number of other Jersey City charter schools can speak to similar academic results. So can anything be done? The state school funding formula determines the amounts/ratios/percentages of money allotted within the adjustment aid and is up for renewal in February 2011. Many charter schools across the state are lobbying their representatives in the state and county legislature -- fundraising, blogging, texting and tweeting, writing to newspapers and generally speaking about the issue.
Please support Jersey City charter school parents and concerned local citizens as we rally to correct the funding formula and help create a more equal educational experience for all Jersey City public school children.
ANNE MARUSIC
JERSEY CITY
During the month of December I will be meeting with each of you individually to go over the increase in health insurance premiums that will take effect on January 1, 2011. As you remember, my September memo had a chart showing the increases by plan and provider. Several of you made changes in your coverage based on this information during the open enrollment period in October.
I also want to go over the general financial condition of the school with you. The budget continues to be frozen for the third year in a row as per the School Funding Reform Act of 2008. This means our salaries must remain frozen next year. When you were given the raise last year, it was clearly explained that this was the final salary increase, and that health insurance costs would go up for you.
The Board has voted to freeze all salaries at Elysian Charter School indefinitely. As you may have heard, President Obama has recently frozen all salaries of Federal employees, so we are not alone.
As the list below shows, Elysian Charter School has the highest median salary of any charter school in the State of New Jersey. Only one other school comes close but since they are in Newark they receive more than twice as much per pupil as we do. 86% of charter schools in New Jersey have a median teacher salary below $50,000. So we are frozen at a much higher level than other charters.
Elysian Charter School Of Hoboken $65,421
Team Academy Charter School $65,045
North Star Academy Charter School Of Newark $60,000
Jersey City Comm. Charter School $56,946
Princeton Charter School $56,688
Greater Newark Charter School $56,175
Robert Treat Academy Charter School $55,400
Freedom Academy Charter School $55,165
Englewood On The Palisades Charter School $53,519
Gray Charter School $53,000
Teaneck Community Charter School $52,000
Emily Fisher Charter School Of Advanced Studies $51,242
Foundation Academy Charter School $50,400
Marion P. Thomas Charter School $50,283
Capital Prepartory Charter High School $50,000
Unity Charter School $49,960
Sussex County Charter School For Technology $49,878
Oceanside Charter School $49,519
Soaring Heights Charter School $49,480
New Horizons Community Charter School $49,053
Discovery Charter School $49,000
East Orange Community Charter School $48,101
Learning Community Charter School $48,076
Jersey City Golden Door C. S. $47,867
University Heights Charter School $47,750
Village Charter School $47,750
Create Charter School $47,685
Academy Charter H.S. $46,750
University Academy Charter School $46,586
Hope Academy Charter School $46,500
Lady Liberty Academy Charter School $46,312
Camden Academy Charter High School $46,000
Community Charter School Of Paterson $46,000
Pride Academy Charter School $46,000
Greater Brunswick Charter School $45,600
Red Bank Charter School $45,457
Charter-Tech High School $45,318
Liberty Academy Charter School $45,179
Camden's Promise Charter School $45,000
Paterson Charter School For Science & Technology $45,000
Trenton Community Charter School $44,243
Leap Academy University Charter School $43,622
Schomburg Charter School $43,491
Central Jersey College Prep Cs $43,300
D.U.E. Season Charter School $43,163
Pace Charter School Of Hamilton $43,020
Galloway Community Charter School $42,901
Bergen Arts And Science Charter School $42,578
Union Co Teams Charter School $41,333
Pleasantech Academy Charter School $40,806
Central Jersey Arts Charter School $40,625
Hoboken Charter School $40,333
Queen City Academy Charter School $40,314
Adelaide L. Sanford Charter School $40,000
Burch Charter School Of Excellence $40,000
Camden's Pride Charter School $40,000
Maria L. Varisco-Rogers Charter School $39,374
Paul Robeson Cs For Humanities $39,300
International Charter School Of Trenton $38,996
Environment Community Opportunity Charter School $38,480
Ridge And Valley Charter School $36,745
Classical Academy Charter School Of Clifton $35,510
I hope it is clear that our finances will not permit further salary increases. As our rent and other expenses increase we will be forced to make further cuts since our funding will remain level.
However, as long as employees continue to absorb the increases in health insurance, the rent increases should be sustainable and the school is expected to remain in good fiscal condition. We can and will operate within our budgetary constraints. We can operate on $4 million, even if that amount does not increase.
Some staff mentioned concern about lack of supplies. There is no financial reason for a lack of supplies. Any teacher who needs supplies should submit a requisition, even if you have already expended your supply budget. We will make every effort to supply the classrooms as needed. These costs are miniscule in a $4 million dollar budget.
We are hopeful that at some point, funding will be increased. Here's a great letter to the editor in the Jersey Journal. Please note that due to the complexities of the formula, some charter schools in some cities in New Jersey are not adversely affected. Those which expanded to buy a building, like Learning Community Charter School, did not receive any more money even though they took in more students.
Imagine earning only 52 percent of your salary while doing as good or better than the rest of your co-workers. How would you feel? Would you talk to your boss to correct the injustice? Would you look for a new job? Would you go to a newspaper with this story? This feeling of thorough and objective injustice is what parents and students at Learning Community Charter School (LCCS) and other Jersey City charter schools have felt for the past three years. Since 2007, Jersey City charter schools have only received 52 percent of the funding of the local public schools. In dollar terms, each child in charter school has received $10,300 from the state per year, while his or her peer in a public school "has earned" $17,200 per year.
New Jersey's original law mandates that charter schools are to get 90 percent of the educational aid of public schools. However, charter schools receive 90 percent of only two portions of the educational funding pie. What the charters sorely miss out on is 90 percent of the over $100 million in adjustment aid. This aid, thanks to old-fashioned New Jersey state pork barrel politics, is now kept in the district. All apparently due to legislation quietly passed in Trenton over the 2007 Christmas holiday.
Despite the extreme financial odds placed on all the charter schools, the beautiful silver lining is the great academic success that LCCS and other charter schools have witnessed over the years. For example, in spring 2010, 50 percent of the LCCS eighth grade class was accepted into McNair Academic High School. LCCS outperforms the district on all the state standardized tests each year and offers a rich and progressive education. A number of other Jersey City charter schools can speak to similar academic results. So can anything be done? The state school funding formula determines the amounts/ratios/percentages of money allotted within the adjustment aid and is up for renewal in February 2011. Many charter schools across the state are lobbying their representatives in the state and county legislature -- fundraising, blogging, texting and tweeting, writing to newspapers and generally speaking about the issue.
Please support Jersey City charter school parents and concerned local citizens as we rally to correct the funding formula and help create a more equal educational experience for all Jersey City public school children.
ANNE MARUSIC
JERSEY CITY
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Prepaid Legal Service Signup at Wed Nov 10 Board Meeting
Dear Staff:
Tanisha Cook of Prepaid Legal Services will be visiting at our Wednesday November 10 Staff Meeting. We will be offering a reasonably priced contract to the employees which will give you telephone access to an attorney. You can learn more about it in advance at https://www.prepaidlegal.com/
Kathy Mone
Tanisha Cook of Prepaid Legal Services will be visiting at our Wednesday November 10 Staff Meeting. We will be offering a reasonably priced contract to the employees which will give you telephone access to an attorney. You can learn more about it in advance at https://www.prepaidlegal.com/
Kathy Mone
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Open Enrollment for Health Plan Changes Oct 1-30
Any changes in your plan (NJ Direct 10, 15, Cigna, Aetna) must be made before October 30. Find the form at http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/epbam/exhibits/pdf/ha0800.pdf and fill it out so I can sign it and send it in before the deadline. When the rates go up in January it will be too late to change plans. Also, this is the time to add anyone or delete them, otherwise you cannot without a "qualifying event" such as birth, marriage, etc.
All those enrolled in the new Flexible Spending Accounts for Health, Dependent Care and Transportation should go online to http://www.ezflexplan.com/resourceone/home.asp There you can find claim forms and instructions on how to fax in your claim. Don't forget to fill out a direct deposit form so it goes right into your bank account.
All those enrolled in the new Flexible Spending Accounts for Health, Dependent Care and Transportation should go online to http://www.ezflexplan.com/resourceone/home.asp There you can find claim forms and instructions on how to fax in your claim. Don't forget to fill out a direct deposit form so it goes right into your bank account.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Insurance
The school will be offering employees the opportunity to purchase additional insurance through payroll deductions. Long term disability and other insurance will be offered from AFLAC (The website is http://www.aflac.com/ or http://www.knowquack.com/ might be more informative). We all have short term state disability insurance but you might want to buy long term disability. We will also be offering prepaid legal services. This is a service where you have access to an attorney for a small monthly fee: http://www.prepaidlegal.com/. Representatives of both vendors will be attending a staff meeting in the future to sign up interested employees.
Those who joined the new flexible spending account program have been given the information about the website. Go to www.ezflexplan.com/resourceone for further information.
Kathy
Those who joined the new flexible spending account program have been given the information about the website. Go to www.ezflexplan.com/resourceone for further information.
Kathy
Friday, September 3, 2010
More on parking
The new permits are not yet available, please bring in your documentation so we are prepared to get them when they come out later this month. The City's website has the following warning: Don’t park in or too close to crosswalks. Did you ever see the sticker on the back of large trucks that says “If you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you.”? The same line-of-sight argument is true for drivers and pedestrians. If vehicles are parked in or too close to crosswalks, then drivers cannot see pedestrians entering crosswalks until it’s too late, and vice versa. That’s why there is a state statute that prohibits parking within 25 feet of crosswalks, and of course in them as well. With the extremely high volumes of pedestrian traffic in Hoboken, enforcement of this law is especially important. We all agree that a good parking space is tough to come by in Hoboken, but convince yourself now that any curb space less than 25 feet from the crosswalk is certainly not safe parking found. Don’t look for white marks on the curb and don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re “not that close”. The fee for this violation is a painful $54.00.
Flexible Spending Accounts (Flex Section 125 and 132 for Health, Dependent Care and Transportation): We have been informed that our administration of our own Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts is not in compliance with the laws. We are in violation of HIPAA, IRS Regulations and ERISA. In order to comply with the law, we will be outsourcing our Flex Accounts at no additional cost to the school (employer tax savings will exceed costs) . Please fill out and sign the attached form if you wish to continue the Flex Plan. If not, your deductions will end in September and you may submit receipts to claim for reimbursement of the balance in your account.
Starting October 1, 2010, employees will need to send their receipts for Flexible Spending Plan health and dependent care expenses to the vendor. You will receive a welcome packet with instructions. We are switching from calendar year to school year plan. There will be a 2 ½ month grace period from July 1 to Sept 15 for you to submit receipts to use up your 2010-11 deductions. After that, any money remaining in your account will be returned to the Internal Revenue Service, as it was in the past.
The Flex Plan will continue onto a School Year Basis on July 1, 2011. At that point, deductions will be taken from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.
Transit and parking reimbursements, (rather than the old TransitChex) will also be issued by the vendor. This will be based on a monthly payroll deduction. Also, please note due to Obama’s new Health Care Legislation, over the counter medications are no longer eligible for reimbursement under the health care flexible spending account, and the total allowable will be reduced to $2500 effective 2012.
Flexible Spending Accounts (Flex Section 125 and 132 for Health, Dependent Care and Transportation): We have been informed that our administration of our own Section 125 Flexible Spending Accounts is not in compliance with the laws. We are in violation of HIPAA, IRS Regulations and ERISA. In order to comply with the law, we will be outsourcing our Flex Accounts at no additional cost to the school (employer tax savings will exceed costs) . Please fill out and sign the attached form if you wish to continue the Flex Plan. If not, your deductions will end in September and you may submit receipts to claim for reimbursement of the balance in your account.
Starting October 1, 2010, employees will need to send their receipts for Flexible Spending Plan health and dependent care expenses to the vendor. You will receive a welcome packet with instructions. We are switching from calendar year to school year plan. There will be a 2 ½ month grace period from July 1 to Sept 15 for you to submit receipts to use up your 2010-11 deductions. After that, any money remaining in your account will be returned to the Internal Revenue Service, as it was in the past.
The Flex Plan will continue onto a School Year Basis on July 1, 2011. At that point, deductions will be taken from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.
Transit and parking reimbursements, (rather than the old TransitChex) will also be issued by the vendor. This will be based on a monthly payroll deduction. Also, please note due to Obama’s new Health Care Legislation, over the counter medications are no longer eligible for reimbursement under the health care flexible spending account, and the total allowable will be reduced to $2500 effective 2012.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Parking Permits
The City of Hoboken has made some changes to the parking permits for schools and other businesses. The permits are still $200, you still pay $100 and the school pays $100, however, you will no longer be able to park on the resident side unless you pay another $100.
If you wish you renew your parking permit, please bring me a copy of:
registration
license
Aug 30 paystub
check to Hoboken Parking Utility for $100 or $200
Kathy
If you wish you renew your parking permit, please bring me a copy of:
registration
license
Aug 30 paystub
check to Hoboken Parking Utility for $100 or $200
Kathy
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Summer Paychecks
To save money, I will not be mailing you your paycheck stubs during the summer (payrolls of July 15 and 30 and August 13 and 30). I will place the stubs in your inbox. If anyone would like to see your paystub right away, let me know and I will scan it and email it to you.
Also, John Mercado wanted to alert you of the great in-store deals at Staples, where you can get stuff for a penny! If you want to do that, save the receipts and I will reimburse you. Please feel free to contact me at school if you need anything, I am in Mon-Fri all day except will be away Aug 2-4. Kathy
Also, John Mercado wanted to alert you of the great in-store deals at Staples, where you can get stuff for a penny! If you want to do that, save the receipts and I will reimburse you. Please feel free to contact me at school if you need anything, I am in Mon-Fri all day except will be away Aug 2-4. Kathy
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Summer Information:
Summer paychecks will be issued on the following dates: July 15, July 30, August 13 and August 30. Stubs will be mailed out; all checks are now direct deposit. New contracts take effect for 10 month employees on September 1 and will be reflected in the Sept 15 paycheck
Orders: Please send your orders in as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee that your supplies will arrive before the opening of school if you do not send in your orders soon. You may fax your order on a requisition form to 201-876-9576. Please fill in all vendor and product information to avoid delays.
New email: Kathy Mone can be reached at kathymone@gmail.com or office@ecsnj.org. Her old emails kplm12000@yahoo.com and elysiancharteroffice@yahoo.com were hacked into and had to be closed.
Painting starts on July 4: Painting volunteers start Monday and will be working all week. Over $1000 of paint was donated to City Hardware by parents!
New internet: We are saving money by bundling our internet and phones with one provider, Verizon. The package comes with faster internet service, which will be installed Tuesday. We will be able to use internet currently installed at Demarest.
Board meeting: July public board meeting Monday July 26 7 pm
August meeting Monday August 23 7 pm
Summer meetings are ususally in the 2nd floor conference room
call my cell phone for access 201-960-2007
An interesting article on what to expect with state funding from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/nyregion/09njbudget.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y
Summer paychecks will be issued on the following dates: July 15, July 30, August 13 and August 30. Stubs will be mailed out; all checks are now direct deposit. New contracts take effect for 10 month employees on September 1 and will be reflected in the Sept 15 paycheck
Orders: Please send your orders in as soon as possible. We cannot guarantee that your supplies will arrive before the opening of school if you do not send in your orders soon. You may fax your order on a requisition form to 201-876-9576. Please fill in all vendor and product information to avoid delays.
New email: Kathy Mone can be reached at kathymone@gmail.com or office@ecsnj.org. Her old emails kplm12000@yahoo.com and elysiancharteroffice@yahoo.com were hacked into and had to be closed.
Painting starts on July 4: Painting volunteers start Monday and will be working all week. Over $1000 of paint was donated to City Hardware by parents!
New internet: We are saving money by bundling our internet and phones with one provider, Verizon. The package comes with faster internet service, which will be installed Tuesday. We will be able to use internet currently installed at Demarest.
Board meeting: July public board meeting Monday July 26 7 pm
August meeting Monday August 23 7 pm
Summer meetings are ususally in the 2nd floor conference room
call my cell phone for access 201-960-2007
An interesting article on what to expect with state funding from the NY Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/09/nyregion/09njbudget.html?emc=tnt&tntemail1=y
Sunday, April 25, 2010
April 2010 Elysian Charter School News
Salary Guide and Contracts
A new salary guide based on the Hoboken Board of Education 2010-2011 Salary Guide has been issued and is attached to your new contract. The new contract details your entire compensation package, including the additional step which equates to nearly a 3% wage increase. Please note that according to the Star-Ledger, Elysian has the highest median salary of any charter school in New Jersey: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/nj_teachers_pay_freeze_salarie.html?appSession=97362648416888
Health Benefits
The new state law requires that all employees contribute 1.5% of their salary towards their health benefits. The new deductions will begin in September for teachers, July for 12 month administrative employees and will be reflected on your contract. For frequently asked questions about the major changes in your health and pension plans, see: (www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr10.shtml#ch2faq)
We will find out later this year how much the health insurance will increase effective January 2011. The rates went up 25% for 2010. The school absorbed most of the increase; however, the employees will need to absorb some of the increase in 2011; please be prepared for this.
Most of the other changes will affect new employees hired after May 21, 2010, not current employees, if you want to read more, see www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr10.shtml#ch3perstpaf and http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr10.shtml#ch2shbpsehbp also
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr10.shtml#ch1perstpaf
Classroom Supplies
All teachers have received copies of the order booklets from the bidding cooperative we joined. I think you will find you can get a lot more for your money and it's easier to order, because you don't have to write very much, just check off what you want, no requisition necessary. They also have specialized booklets for art, physical ed, science, etc. Teachers can still order from other vendors for those items that are not in the booklets, just fill out a requisition. However, you will notice that the vendors in the booklets offer us discounts even on items not in the booklet. Please note that you will still be able to make a separate order for office-type supplies with John Mercado via Staples. We have a new contract with them for better prices.
Your own pension and health accounts
As a condition of employment in the state, all employees are REQUIRED to have an MBOS account so you can conduct transactions (such as applying for loans) online. Here's how to register:
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR PENSION ACCOUNT
ONLINE THROUGH MBOS
REGISTRATION FOR FIRST TIME USERS
BECAUSE REGISTRATION REQUIRES SEVERAL STEPS,
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!
REGISTRATION FOR MBOS IS FREE. YOU MUST HAVE A VALID E-MAIL ADDRESS.
STEP ONE
Register for a MyNewJersey account at: www.state.nj.us
NOTE: If you already have a MyNewJersey account, use your existing account.
1. Click on the “Register” link and complete the registration information.
(Choose your own Logon ID and Password)
2. Create a Logon ID;
Logon ID you chose: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Create a Password;
Password you chose: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Remember: Never share your Logon ID or Password with others.
4. This will open your personal MyNewJersey online account.
STEP TWO
Have an Authorization Code e-mailed to you by registering for MBOS at:
www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/mbosregister.shtml
1. Click the “Begin MBOS Registration” button on the Web page and complete the online MBOS
registration form.
2. When registering, you will need your pension Member ID number.
Your Member ID number can often be found on your payroll statement. It can also be obtained from your employer
or by contacting the Division's Office of Client Services at (609) 292-7524 or pensions.nj@treas.state.nj.us.
3. After you complete the MBOS registration you will receive an e-mail with the Authorization Code.
STEP THREE
1. Logon to your MyNewJersey account and then click “Enter Authorization Code”
2. On the page that opens, enter your MBOS Authorization Code and click the “Finished” button.
3. Delete the e-mail with your Authorization Code: it can only be used once.
STEP FOUR
Log back onto your MyNewJersey account and you will see the Pension and Benefits section along the left
side.
Click the “MBOS Logon” button to go to MBOS and your account information.
If you need help, call the MBOS Help Desk at: (609) 777-0534
A new salary guide based on the Hoboken Board of Education 2010-2011 Salary Guide has been issued and is attached to your new contract. The new contract details your entire compensation package, including the additional step which equates to nearly a 3% wage increase. Please note that according to the Star-Ledger, Elysian has the highest median salary of any charter school in New Jersey: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/05/nj_teachers_pay_freeze_salarie.html?appSession=97362648416888
Health Benefits
The new state law requires that all employees contribute 1.5% of their salary towards their health benefits. The new deductions will begin in September for teachers, July for 12 month administrative employees and will be reflected on your contract. For frequently asked questions about the major changes in your health and pension plans, see: (www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr10.shtml#ch2faq)
We will find out later this year how much the health insurance will increase effective January 2011. The rates went up 25% for 2010. The school absorbed most of the increase; however, the employees will need to absorb some of the increase in 2011; please be prepared for this.
Most of the other changes will affect new employees hired after May 21, 2010, not current employees, if you want to read more, see www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr10.shtml#ch3perstpaf and http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr10.shtml#ch2shbpsehbp also
http://www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/coltr10.shtml#ch1perstpaf
Classroom Supplies
All teachers have received copies of the order booklets from the bidding cooperative we joined. I think you will find you can get a lot more for your money and it's easier to order, because you don't have to write very much, just check off what you want, no requisition necessary. They also have specialized booklets for art, physical ed, science, etc. Teachers can still order from other vendors for those items that are not in the booklets, just fill out a requisition. However, you will notice that the vendors in the booklets offer us discounts even on items not in the booklet. Please note that you will still be able to make a separate order for office-type supplies with John Mercado via Staples. We have a new contract with them for better prices.
Your own pension and health accounts
As a condition of employment in the state, all employees are REQUIRED to have an MBOS account so you can conduct transactions (such as applying for loans) online. Here's how to register:
HOW TO ACCESS YOUR PENSION ACCOUNT
ONLINE THROUGH MBOS
REGISTRATION FOR FIRST TIME USERS
BECAUSE REGISTRATION REQUIRES SEVERAL STEPS,
PLEASE READ AND FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!
REGISTRATION FOR MBOS IS FREE. YOU MUST HAVE A VALID E-MAIL ADDRESS.
STEP ONE
Register for a MyNewJersey account at: www.state.nj.us
NOTE: If you already have a MyNewJersey account, use your existing account.
1. Click on the “Register” link and complete the registration information.
(Choose your own Logon ID and Password)
2. Create a Logon ID;
Logon ID you chose: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
3. Create a Password;
Password you chose: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Remember: Never share your Logon ID or Password with others.
4. This will open your personal MyNewJersey online account.
STEP TWO
Have an Authorization Code e-mailed to you by registering for MBOS at:
www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/mbosregister.shtml
1. Click the “Begin MBOS Registration” button on the Web page and complete the online MBOS
registration form.
2. When registering, you will need your pension Member ID number.
Your Member ID number can often be found on your payroll statement. It can also be obtained from your employer
or by contacting the Division's Office of Client Services at (609) 292-7524 or pensions.nj@treas.state.nj.us.
3. After you complete the MBOS registration you will receive an e-mail with the Authorization Code.
STEP THREE
1. Logon to your MyNewJersey account and then click “Enter Authorization Code”
2. On the page that opens, enter your MBOS Authorization Code and click the “Finished” button.
3. Delete the e-mail with your Authorization Code: it can only be used once.
STEP FOUR
Log back onto your MyNewJersey account and you will see the Pension and Benefits section along the left
side.
Click the “MBOS Logon” button to go to MBOS and your account information.
If you need help, call the MBOS Help Desk at: (609) 777-0534
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Elysian Charter School Business Administrators Blog
Welcome to the Elysian Charter School Business Administrators Blog. This blog is designed for the Teachers, Staff, Administrators, Board Members, Parents and Friends of Elysian Charter School in Hoboken, NJ. I hope that this blog will keep you informed of business matters that affect our school and serve as a source of information on the business related developments and changes that are going on, as well as keep you up to date on what is going on within the national and state charter school movements as well as proposed changes in state and federal legislation and regulations that affect us.
Payroll: Just to let the staff know, payroll is my number one priority! This reflects the core belief that staff satisfaction is paramount to the success of the school. Great employee morale makes for a great school. That is how we meet our mission to provide a great education for our children. The payroll submissions have been moved up a day to ensure that we meet all deadlines. We were very happy that we had made these plans when we were hit by the snowstorm that closed school for two days last week. As a result of our new system, all employees received their pay on time.
Fiscal Compliance: We are moving to be in compliance with all fiscal requirements of the State of New Jersey. We have begun the transfer over into the new State-mandated Fund Accounting Software, CDK. We have set up the accounts and posted the transactions from the old system into the new system. There is much work to do to establish all the subsidiary accounts but we are well on the way to having a more technologically up to date accounting system which is already giving us a better picture of our financial situation and more control over our budget.
Another area which we have moved to be in compliance is with the appointment to the State-mandated position of Treasurer/Custodian of School Monies, Tracey Calvanico. Tracey is a very well qualified and hard working person who served as PTSO president here at Elysian. She was also a bank Vice-President and a consultant for the Ethical Community Charter School. This is a part time position, and my position as Business Administrator will also be part time although I will be working more hours than before. (I will continue to work on NCLB, IDEA, NJSMART and other state reports, everything except Special Ed and Test Coordination, which will be taken over by our Director, Carol Stock), The challenges at Elysian necessitated that I resign my position at the Ethical Community Charter School. My replacement there begins in March, I will continue to work there daily from 7:45 to 9:45 until she is thoroughly trained, and after that I will be here until 2:15 p.m. daily (at least). You can always email me at kplm12000@yahoo.com if you need me, as you may know I read my email on my iphone constantly! Or you can call my cell at 201-960-2007, although I prefer email because the specifics can be worked out better in writing!
Procurement: We were visited by State Inspectors from the Department of Public Contracts on January 21st and as a result, we are moving to ensure that we follow state purchasing rules. We would be faced with fines of $1000 per day for each violation, so we want to make sure this does not happen. Fortunately, I obtained a Qualified Purchasing Agent certificate from the State, so the Board appointed me in that capacity as well as Public Agency Contracting Officer. The Board also approved my request to join two large purchasing cooperatives which will allow us to use their purchasing power to access very competitive prices on their contracts. You can find out more about them at www.hcesc.com/cooperative_pricing.html and http://www.mresc.k12.nj.us/
What this means for teachers is that I will be giving you a catalog from these contracted vendors. School Speciality, a very popular vendor among educators, will be our contractor for general school supplies. We receive between 5 and 10 percent of their list prices. I invite all teachers to view their website at http://www.schoolspecialty.com/ and let me know what you think. There are contracts for nursing supplies: http://www.mooremedical.com/ , science supplies: http://www.carolina.com/ and http://www.fisherscience.com/, sports: http://www.cannonsports.com/ . I will give you paper catalogs as well. We should not be using vendors that do not accept purchase orders according to state regulations.
Pensions and Health Benefits: The best way to get any information on pensions and state health benefits is by logging on their website at www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions. Everything you need to know can be found on the website, in fact, most transactions, including loans, can now only be done online. I have been calling them on the phone but keep getting the message that they cannot take any phone calls due to volume. As you may have read, there is a mass exodus going on because everyone knows that the pensions laws will change, and so everyone who can retire is rushing to do so.
By the way, the proposed changes will also mean that we will all probably be required to pay a portion of our health benefits. I refer you to the Star-Ledger article for more information: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/wide-reaching_pension_and_bene.html
State Aid Cuts: You have also probably heard that all school districts reserves have been seized by the state and a 15% cut is being enforced. This will eventually affect charter schools because our funding formula is based on district budgets. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/gov_chris_christie_plans_to_cu.html
Technology: Now for some good news! We have joined http://www.schoolpay.com/, a service offered by the National School Board Association for online payments of various school fees by parents using their checking account or credit cards. We will soon pilot this program with our afterschool program. My experience in using this program at Ethical Community Charter School has been that collections of funds owed is better and errors or loss of cash or checks are avoided.
Fundraising: In these times, charter schools will not survive without fundraising. We are all in this together, and we need to reach out to our friends and relatives to contribute to the Annual Appeal. Why not send an email to your friends and relatives with the link to our website: www.ecsnj.org? The DONATE link that accepts online donations is in the upper right hand corner. Even if you cannot attend the fundraiser March 6, please consider a small donation to show your support for the school. We cannot raise taxes like a district and we need more funds.
Please feel free to write me if there is anything else you would like to see on the blog. One charter school blog that is very interesting is written by Whitney Tilson, a hedge fund manager who supports charter schools. edreform.blogspot.com/ and I also like www.dfer.org (Democrats for Education Reform), run by Joe Williams who wrote "Cheating Our Kids", the best book I ever read in favor of charter schools.
Other favorites: www.publiccharters.org
www.njcharters.org
http://cesp.rutgers.edu/CSRC/CSRC.htm
Kathy Mone
School Business Administrator
Elysian Charter School of Hoboken
Hoboken, New Jersey
Payroll: Just to let the staff know, payroll is my number one priority! This reflects the core belief that staff satisfaction is paramount to the success of the school. Great employee morale makes for a great school. That is how we meet our mission to provide a great education for our children. The payroll submissions have been moved up a day to ensure that we meet all deadlines. We were very happy that we had made these plans when we were hit by the snowstorm that closed school for two days last week. As a result of our new system, all employees received their pay on time.
Fiscal Compliance: We are moving to be in compliance with all fiscal requirements of the State of New Jersey. We have begun the transfer over into the new State-mandated Fund Accounting Software, CDK. We have set up the accounts and posted the transactions from the old system into the new system. There is much work to do to establish all the subsidiary accounts but we are well on the way to having a more technologically up to date accounting system which is already giving us a better picture of our financial situation and more control over our budget.
Another area which we have moved to be in compliance is with the appointment to the State-mandated position of Treasurer/Custodian of School Monies, Tracey Calvanico. Tracey is a very well qualified and hard working person who served as PTSO president here at Elysian. She was also a bank Vice-President and a consultant for the Ethical Community Charter School. This is a part time position, and my position as Business Administrator will also be part time although I will be working more hours than before. (I will continue to work on NCLB, IDEA, NJSMART and other state reports, everything except Special Ed and Test Coordination, which will be taken over by our Director, Carol Stock), The challenges at Elysian necessitated that I resign my position at the Ethical Community Charter School. My replacement there begins in March, I will continue to work there daily from 7:45 to 9:45 until she is thoroughly trained, and after that I will be here until 2:15 p.m. daily (at least). You can always email me at kplm12000@yahoo.com if you need me, as you may know I read my email on my iphone constantly! Or you can call my cell at 201-960-2007, although I prefer email because the specifics can be worked out better in writing!
Procurement: We were visited by State Inspectors from the Department of Public Contracts on January 21st and as a result, we are moving to ensure that we follow state purchasing rules. We would be faced with fines of $1000 per day for each violation, so we want to make sure this does not happen. Fortunately, I obtained a Qualified Purchasing Agent certificate from the State, so the Board appointed me in that capacity as well as Public Agency Contracting Officer. The Board also approved my request to join two large purchasing cooperatives which will allow us to use their purchasing power to access very competitive prices on their contracts. You can find out more about them at www.hcesc.com/cooperative_pricing.html and http://www.mresc.k12.nj.us/
What this means for teachers is that I will be giving you a catalog from these contracted vendors. School Speciality, a very popular vendor among educators, will be our contractor for general school supplies. We receive between 5 and 10 percent of their list prices. I invite all teachers to view their website at http://www.schoolspecialty.com/ and let me know what you think. There are contracts for nursing supplies: http://www.mooremedical.com/ , science supplies: http://www.carolina.com/ and http://www.fisherscience.com/, sports: http://www.cannonsports.com/ . I will give you paper catalogs as well. We should not be using vendors that do not accept purchase orders according to state regulations.
Pensions and Health Benefits: The best way to get any information on pensions and state health benefits is by logging on their website at www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions. Everything you need to know can be found on the website, in fact, most transactions, including loans, can now only be done online. I have been calling them on the phone but keep getting the message that they cannot take any phone calls due to volume. As you may have read, there is a mass exodus going on because everyone knows that the pensions laws will change, and so everyone who can retire is rushing to do so.
By the way, the proposed changes will also mean that we will all probably be required to pay a portion of our health benefits. I refer you to the Star-Ledger article for more information: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/wide-reaching_pension_and_bene.html
State Aid Cuts: You have also probably heard that all school districts reserves have been seized by the state and a 15% cut is being enforced. This will eventually affect charter schools because our funding formula is based on district budgets. http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/gov_chris_christie_plans_to_cu.html
Technology: Now for some good news! We have joined http://www.schoolpay.com/, a service offered by the National School Board Association for online payments of various school fees by parents using their checking account or credit cards. We will soon pilot this program with our afterschool program. My experience in using this program at Ethical Community Charter School has been that collections of funds owed is better and errors or loss of cash or checks are avoided.
Fundraising: In these times, charter schools will not survive without fundraising. We are all in this together, and we need to reach out to our friends and relatives to contribute to the Annual Appeal. Why not send an email to your friends and relatives with the link to our website: www.ecsnj.org? The DONATE link that accepts online donations is in the upper right hand corner. Even if you cannot attend the fundraiser March 6, please consider a small donation to show your support for the school. We cannot raise taxes like a district and we need more funds.
Please feel free to write me if there is anything else you would like to see on the blog. One charter school blog that is very interesting is written by Whitney Tilson, a hedge fund manager who supports charter schools. edreform.blogspot.com/ and I also like www.dfer.org (Democrats for Education Reform), run by Joe Williams who wrote "Cheating Our Kids", the best book I ever read in favor of charter schools.
Other favorites: www.publiccharters.org
www.njcharters.org
http://cesp.rutgers.edu/CSRC/CSRC.htm
Kathy Mone
School Business Administrator
Elysian Charter School of Hoboken
Hoboken, New Jersey
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