School district professionals pay, benefits explained
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Editor's note: Greencastle-Antrim is directly served by three major entities funded by taxpayers. The responsibilities include educating children and providing government services to citizens. In its continuing series the Echo Pilot this week takes a look at personnel costs for administrators and teachers in the Greencastle-Antrim School District.

Payroll and affiliated benefits comprise 72 percent of expenditures from the general fund of G-ASD. The general fund this year is set at $30.9 million.

G-ASD, with approximately 400 employees including support staff, levies an 88.9 mill rate on property owners.

Comparisons within the school district are split into administration and Greencastle-Antrim Education Association. Administrators refer to the directors of elementary and secondary education, principals and assistant principals, director of special education and federal and special programs coordinator. GAEA includes teachers, school nurses, guidance counselors, curriculum specialists and librarians.

The administration package was created following "meet and discuss" sessions between a committee from the school board and representative administrators. The GAEA contract was determined following negotiations between the Board of School Directors and the bargaining agent of GAEA.

Figures are taken from documents graciously provided by G-ASD. The information is public record.

Health insurance

Administrators pay seven percent of the health insurance policy. A physical examination is mandatory each year.

GAEAmembers pay five percent of premiums this year, with no deductible and $20 co-pays. Their premium contribution will increase one percent per year to a maximum of eight percent in 2011-2012.

In retirement, with 15 years in the district and 25 years of public school service, a GAEA member may continue to receive medical insurance coverage for up to 12 years or until Medicare eligibility, whichever comes first. The district will pay $117 per month of the premiums. The employee will pay the balance, as well as for two-person or family coverage. Administrators do not receive the premium benefit.

Prescription coverage for both groups is a 20 percent co-pay up to $75 maximum.

Vision and dental coverage are provided for administrators and GAEA. The dental benefit is $1000 per person per year. On the vision policy, the insured pay expenses past certain coverage limits.

Paid time off

Administrators are hired for 245 days. They receive 20 days of vacation which can accumulate to 30. They are also awarded eight holidays. They earn 12 annual sick days with unlimited accumulation. Upon retirement, the administrator will receive a non-cash payment for 50 percent of the unused sick leave, up to 100 days, at a rate of $30 per day. The payment will be deposited into a tax-sheltered annuity.

GAEA members are hired for 187 days. They have 10 days of sick leave per year, with no limit on accumulation.They get one personal day that cannot be cashed out, and two days which can carry over to a total of six days per year. Upon retirement or resignation, with at least 15 years of service, the employees will receive a non-cash payment for 50 percent of unused sick leave up to 100 days, at a rate of $60 per day. It will be deposited into a tax-sheltered annuity.

Bereavement leave for both groups is five days for immediate family and two days for near relative.

Life insurance

Administrator coverage is equal to a rounding of the current year's salary. Salaries for the 14 administrators range from $69,000 to $89,000. The district has a group disability policy for each.

GAEA members are under a group plan of term life and accidental death and dismemberment for $30,000.

Other fringe benefits

Administrators are allowed to enroll in a Doctoral program, which must be approved by the superintendent. The district will pay tuition as long as the recipient agrees to remain employed for a certain amount of time up to three years.

GAEA members will be reimbursed for graduate credits at the Shippensburg University tuition rate on a one-time only basis. Courses beyond the master's level must be approved by the superintendent. The graduate courses must be part of an advanced degree program, add to another area of certification or apply to current areas of certification. If the courses do not lead to another degree, the employee will be reimbursed only three credits every two years