September 2010

Early resignation incentives help districts hire the best teachers

Getting the best teachers into Texas classrooms is the goal of all school district recruiters, but most don't know which jobs will be vacant until June or July. Some districts now offer early resignation incentives so they know which positions they'll have to fill months earlier than they otherwise would.

Celebrate Texas Education Human Resources Day

Gov. Rick Perry has proclaimed Oct. 13, 2010, to be the first ever Texas Education Human Resources Day to acknowledge the work of school HR leaders across the state.

Teachers from traditional ed prep programs preferred by some districts

Some Texas districts continue to give hiring preference to teacher candidates from traditional educator preparation programs over those from alternative certification programs.

Communicating employee benefits information pays dividends

There’s a big reason for employers to improve their efforts to communicate the value of employee benefits: more loyal, satisfied employees

Many AFT locals pilot teacher evaluations based on union framework

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has taken a leadership role in the reform of teacher evaluations, working with more than 50 locals to implement a pilot evaluation system based on AFT’s framework.

Q&A

Be careful about the information your district collects from employees in case of an emergency. Districts that collect too much medical information may be violating the ADA.

HR Extras

TEA offers a statewide, online job-search tool to allow educators to find jobs anywhere in the state...Texas districts have yet to meet NCLB’s highly qualified teacher requirement...and more.
 
Quick Poll
Does your district publish a wellness newsletter for employees?



Inside HR Services
Districts that might be interested in a Staffing Review should go Inside HR Services for more information...it’s also time for membership renewals and salary surveys.
Upcoming Events
Wage and Hour Rules for Public Schools
Sept. 15, 2010
TASB Offices, Austin, TX
The consequences for violating the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) can be costly. Understanding the basic components of the FLSA can reduce the district’s risk for wage and hour complaints. The keys to success are making sure exemption tests are correctly applied, knowing how to identify compensable time, and ensuring employees are compensated appropriately when overtime is worked. This workshop provides an overview of the key FLSA concepts and includes practical examples of how to calculate and compensate overtime correctly.
Rules of Engagement—Determining Employment Status
Sept. 16, 2010
TASB Offices, Austin, TX
Ever wondered what to do with a retired, part-time, volunteer, substitute? Determining employment status is complicated due to the many state and federal rules that apply. Employment classification can affect rights and entitlements, pay and benefits, assignments and schedules, and even terms of employment. Improper classification can carry hefty fines and penalties for school districts. This workshop will provide an in-depth explanation of the various employment categories and how to classify employees correctly.
Fundamentals of Pay Systems
Oct. 5, 2010
Successful administration of the district’s compensation plan requires a basic understanding of how pay plans work. This workshop provides an overview of the fundamental components of pay systems. Participants will learn the essential principles of an effective compensation plan and understand the features of market-based pay range structures and how they control pay. Evaluating jobs to determine pay classification, assessing market competitiveness, and handling teacher pay will also be discussed.
Controlling Complex Pay Systems
Oct. 6, 2010
TASB Offices, Austin, TX
Tailored for medium to large school districts, this workshop focuses on techniques to manage pay equity. As school districts grow in size and complexity, maintaining an effective and affordable system of pay grows more challenging. Through case study exercises and group discussion, participants will learn how to place new employees, control salaries, analyze pay equity problems, and develop strategies for improving their pay systems.

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