Current News
(2009-10 School Year)

WILLIAM F. AND NELL YOUNG SCHOLARSHIP

In recognition of the decades of work and commitment to the School Supervisors Association, on behalf of Classified Employee Supervisors who work in WCCUSD (formerly Richmond Unified School District) by William F. and Nell Young, this scholarship has been established by the Board of Directors of the School Supervisors Association to honor the contributions of William and Nell Young to SSA, its members and their families. The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize the achievements of a child or grandchild of a SSA member in good standing, and to provide assistance with the pursuit of an education in a field of study in the area of public service, public education, one of the vocations represented by SSA, or higher education, either through community college studies, accredited vocational or trade school or college/university.

The William F. and Nell Young scholarship shall consist of two scholarships in the amount of $500 to be awarded each year. The deadline is April 30, 2010. For more information and application, please click link below:

William F. and Nell Young Scholarship Information & Application

DECEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER

December 12, 9:00 a.m. - SSA Membership Meeting Wednesday, December 23 - UNPAID DAY OFF for 12 month employees (“furlough day’)
December 24 - PAID HOLIDAY
December 25 - PAID HOLIDAY
December 31 - UNPAID DAY OFF for all employees (“furlough day”)

NEXT GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Please come to our Breakfast Meeting:

Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 9:00am
Four Corners Restaurant, 4203 Valley View Road, El Sobrante

We will hold the Board of Directors Election and discuss current news. Please RSVP by Thursday, December 10th to Mary Jones (233-3988).

NON-WORK DAY FOR SSA MEMBERS

Friday, October 16, 2009 is NOT a work day for SSA members. In accordance with our Contractual Agreement, it is part of the “reduced work year” unpaid days off. Do not report to work, and enjoy your day off.

JOB POSTINGS IN SSA UNIT

Your SSA representatives have been meeting with H.R. to update the hiring and interview process for vacancies in the SSA Unit. Please check the District’s H.R. website for postings for Transfer and/or Promotion in the SSA Unit. If you are interested in a position, please make sure that you apply by the deadline date.

SECTION 125 PLAN OPTIONS

There is still time to find out how you can benefit and save money by taking advantage of the Section 125 Plan options. Contact Emily Millar in H.R. to arrange for a meeting to find out information so that you can make an informed decision.

OCTOBER 13, 2009 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING!

Please save the date for our next General Membership Meeting on October, 13, 2009 at 4:30pm to be held at Four Corners Pizza & Pasta Restaurant, 4203 Valley View Road, El Sobrante. Agenda includes General Business and Board Member Nominations. Please RSVP by October 9th to Mary Jones (233-3988).

CALPERS RETIREMENT CLASS

This dynamic class, presented CalPERS, is for WCCUSD staff nearing retirement to help you plan and prepare for retirement. Learn more about your CalPERS benefits and the retirement process:

October 1, 2009
4:00-6:00 pm
Harding Elementary School Theater
(7230 Fairmont Ave. El Cerrito, CA 94530)

Space is limited. Register on line at https://www.calpers.ca.gov/index
Member must have a User ID and Password to log into my|calpers. Or call Bea Ponce at 231-1167 or email bponce@ wccusd.net no later than September 28, 2009.

SECTION 125 WORKSHOPS

Your union, SSA has been working with the District to arrange for informational sessions to be held for all District employees regarding the SECTION 125 PLAN. Those meetings are scheduled for:

Section 125 Plan General Information
Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 4:30 p.m. and
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
El Cerrito High School Cafeteria

Representatives from American Fidelity will present general information regarding how 125 Plans work. We are also in the process of arranging another meeting later in the day for our members who cannot attend at 4:30 and we will notify you of that date and time as soon as possible.

Please plan to attend one of the general information sessions to find out how the Section 125 Plan works and how you may be able to save money. Also, please let your SSA co-workers know about the meetings so they can attend.

The Section 125 Plan is:

• offered to allow employees to use "pre-tax" dollars to pay for health benefit contributions, thereby saving on the total cost
• strictly Voluntary
• available on a calendar year, January 1 through December 31
• offers an additional component which allows employees to voluntarily set aside "pre-tax" dollars to pay for child care, elder care, health care co-payments, vision care, etc. However, this component has restrictions, including a "use it or lose it" provision which means an employee should only set aside exactly as much as they are sure they need to, because any amount not used by the end of the calendar year is forfeited. More on this feature will be reviewed at the information sessions. Also, this component is separate from the provision that allows you to use pre tax dollars to help pay for your health benefit coverage.
• "Pre tax dollars" means that the amount of money you set aside is not taxed by Federal (IRS) or State taxes; however, it also means that you do not contribute towards social security on the amount of money you designate.

PLEASE ATTEND ONE OF THE MEETINGS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT SECTION 125 PLANS AND TO HELP YOU MAKE THE DECISION ABOUT HOW YOU MIGHT BENEFIT.

NEW CONTRACT RATIFIED!

On August 31, 2009, SSA members met at Helms Middle School to review the Contract Tentative Agreement and other issues surrounding the contract. An overwhelming majority of members who attended the meeting voted to ratify the Tentative Agreement. Voting results were as follows:

84% voted YES
16% voted NO

NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE!

Your SSA bargaining team and the District have reached a Tentative Agreement regarding contract negotiations. We have scheduled a Ratification Meeting for SSA members on: Monday, August 31, 2009, Helms Middle School Cafeteria (enter at rear of building), starting at 4:30 p.m. and at 6:30 p.m. (for our After School Program Supervisors). We strongly encourage ALL members to attend this meeting in order to review and vote on our Tentative Agreement.