School and Community Fall 2023

Double Checking the Little Things

Poof! Before you know it, summer is over and we’re closing in on the halfway point of the fall semester. Time can slip away from us in the blink of an eye. As you’re running around doing this and that, try and take a few minutes at least once a year to glance at the items we will discuss below. It’s easy to gloss over what’s written down on paper, but the paperwork really does matter in most situations. Your Paycheck:

assignment, talk to your administration. It’s important that you are physically everywhere your schedule says you should be. If you aren’t going to make it somewhere on time, tell somebody.

Accountants are humans too - make sure you verify your paycheck every so often. With PSRS/PEERS deductions, taxes and other voluntary deductions from your paycheck, it’s easy to lose track of your money. Look at the district’s salary schedule to ensure you are correctly placed on it. That number should match your contract and your paycheck. This will require a little bit of math, but it’s worth the time. If you are overpaid or underpaid, the sooner you can correct it will be best for everyone involved. The district gets audited on a regular basis and the error eventually found, but it could take quite some time. Check Your Calendar/Schedule: In addition to knowing the start and end date of the school year, make sure you know the little nuances as well. Note how many sick and personal days you get, when you can use them and how you can use them. With substitute teachers in high demand, some schools have more strings attached to taking days off. Know the conditions in advance so you can plan accordingly. Further, make sure you can physically be everywhere you are supposed to be throughout the school day. If you need more transition time to get to your next

Building Safety Protocol and Emergency Procedures:

Make sure you know the rules for entering and leaving your school building, especially if you’re bringing in an outsider. While annoying at times, it’s important for visitors to follow the necessary procedures which likely includes signing in at the front office. Even if you’ve been doing the same thing year after year, refresh yourself on the written procedures for what you should do in case of an emergency. Keeping that information in an accessible place is crucial. If you need help with a problem at school or have a question about an issue, do not hesitate to contact your MSTA Member Service Coordinator. Further, if you have a legal question or situation that needs to be addressed, please reach out to the MSTA Legal Services Department directly at 866-343-6186. You do not have to go through your CTA President or Building Representative before contacting an MSTA Staff Member.

Contact Info: Phone: 866-343-6186 email: legalservices@msta.org

Legal Services

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