Congratulations to Liberty MS' Student Services team for receiving the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation from the American School Counselor Association. (Photo: Liberty MS)
We hope everyone had an awesome summer break! If you haven't had a chance to check out Dr. Brabrand's back-to-school message, please watch it now. Have an amazing school year!
Looking for quick links to portal logins,
payroll information, salary scales, licensure, benefits, or retirement
information? Start here.
Or, go to fcps.edu, click Full Menu (top left) > Current Employees >
Employee Resources. Note: If you are using a mobile device, click on the three
bars on the top left to access the Full Menu.
FCPS released several major divisionwide announcements over the summer including the ones below:
Visit the News section of FCPS' website for more announcements.
FCPS Regulation 4621.10 Salary
Guides—Credit Beyond Bachelor's Degree, which governs the procedures for
awarding current teacher-scale personnel salary credit upon completion of
additional coursework beyond a bachelor’s degree, has been revised. Revisions to the regulation, commonly
referred to as “Additional Salary Requests,” include:
- The ten (10) year
time frame limit on acceptable credits has been eliminated.
- Restrictions around
courses completed as part of a provisional license have been eliminated.
- Multiple conferred master’s
degrees will be equivalent to a master’s plus 30 (MA+30) for placement on the
salary scale.
- Juris Doctorate degrees will
be considered as equivalent to a doctoral degree for placement on the doctoral
salary lane.
Please visit the Licensure page on the intranet for detailed information, including steps on how to submit an Additional
Salary Request application.
Photo of the Week
#Otherpeoplematter at Centreville ES. Centreville is one of about 65 Fairfax County public schools that have embraced the Positivity Project, an initiative committed to "empowering America’s youth to build strong relationships by seeing the good in themselves and others." Shout out to the Centreville ES staff members who created this powerful piece of art. (Photo: Josh Douds, Centreville ES)
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 reduced the amount of federal
tax withheld from paychecks. Most employees saw an increase in their take-home
pay. However, the IRS warns that for higher wage earners and/or double income families,
the new tax bracket will not deduct enough taxes during the year, resulting in
a tax bill when filing income tax returns next spring. To avoid this, the IRS
recommends using their Withholding Calculator and reviewing Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax. Visit the Office of Payroll Management's page on the intranet for more details.
There's
a new functionality on FCPS' website that allows you to subscribe to various
calendars and have them automatically added to your Outlook calendar or your
iphone calendar. Simply go to the Subscribe to Calendars page and pick the
calendars you'd like to add. Choices include:
- All Calendars
- Job Fairs and Recruitment Events
- School Year
- Employee Calendar
- Featured FCPS Events
- Noteworthy Events
- Religious and Cultural Observances
- School Board Meeting Calendar
If you need help adding a
calendar, watch this short video.
Are you taking or planning to take for-credit
undergraduate or graduate coursework this fall? If so, be sure to apply for fall tuition reimbursement! Interested contracted employees may apply for
up to $700 in tuition reimbursement for one fall course (fall
terms with a start and end date between August 18-December 31). FCPS offers a maximum
reimbursement of $1,400 per year, per employee—that equates to one
course per term or a total of two courses.
To apply for tuition reimbursement, use FCPS’
new Tuition Reimbursement Portal through October 1. (VPN required if accessing remotely.) Or,
please email Tuitionbenefits@fcps.edu.
Did you know that full-time FCPS employees are
automatically enrolled in The Educational Employees' Supplementary Retirement System of Fairfax County (ERFC)? This pension is an extraordinary employee benefit that begins with your first paycheck! See how ERFC can help you gain financial independence! Watch the video.
ERFC has posted 2018 Annual Member Benefit Statements to its members’ ERFCDirect accounts. Members may now view and download their personalized statement of retirement benefits. Members who do not have an ERFCDirect account should select “First-time User? Register Now” and follow the simple step-by-step instructions to create an account. If you have questions regarding ERFCDirect or the Annual Member Statement, please contact ERFC at 703-426-3900 or erfcoffice@fcps.edu.
New Positions Align with FCPS' Focus on Integrity
At the 2018 Leadership Conference, Superintendent Brabrand clearly stated FCPS' expectation that all employees possess "integrity beyond reproach and follow our procedures, policies, and the law." Two new positions have been created to help ensure that expectation is being met:
Equity and Employee Relations Director
Catherine Carroll was named as the new director for the
Office of Equity and Employee Relations (EER). Catherine brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of employee
sexual misconduct, discrimination in the workplace, Title IX, and
investigations. Catherine is a resident of Fairfax County and an FCPS
parent. She is committed to collaborating with her team to create
policies and procedures addressing sexual misconduct, discrimination, and
accessibility issues. Catherine’s first day will be Friday,
August 31.
Coordinator, Internal
Investigations and Title IX
Bryan Gibson is FCPS’ new coordinator, Internal Investigations and
Title IX. Bryan's key responsibilities include planning, managing, and coordinating program activities and personnel for
the Investigations and Title IX section for the Office of the Assistant
Superintendent of Human Resources. We are extremely excited to have Bryan in this expanded role for FCPS and
HR. He has done a tremendous job for FCPS as an internal investigator and also
as the acting director of EER. Bryan officially
started his new position on August 1. He will continue to help lead EER until
Catherine Carroll joins EER on August 31.
#OurFCPS Faces: Karin Stamper
Karin Stamper’s first experience
working in a Fairfax County public school was 15 years ago. She was employed by the county Health Department as a school health aide at Lynbrook ES. Karin officially joined FCPS more than seven years ago as a student information assistant (SIA) at Garfield ES. She was later promoted to an SIA with
the IT FASTeam, which has allowed her to expand her skills. Karen says, “It is
gratifying to help our FCPS family. I miss seeing students but love
working with SIS (Student Information System) and my team.”
As part of the IT FASTeam, one of Karin’s
primary responsibilities is to help employees resolve errors in SIS. Her focus areas in SIS are discipline, enrollment, and immunizations. She also assists
with immunization trainings for student information assistants. Karin’s supervisor, Robin Borean says, “Karin’s passion for
supporting FCPS staff and students has made her an invaluable member of the IT
FASTeam. Her positive attitude and winning smile
have endeared her to her customers and teammates alike. No question is too
hard, no task to great or small. We are fortunate to have Karin on our team." Coordinator Paul Downey adds, “The 'main thing' for Karin has always been to provide the best support for the schools."
Karin says, “I am lucky to work with a great team, as we help and support each
other.” In her spare time, Karin enjoys
spending time with family and friends, the great outdoors, DIY projects, and
soccer. “I am a soccer fan, having played myself and coached
all three of my daughters."
FCPS appreciates your excellent customer
service and dedication, Karin!
Most instructional and school-based staff hired after January 1,
2014, are members of the VRS Hybrid Retirement Plan. If you’re a hybrid
member, it’s time to enroll or make
changes to voluntary contributions.
Increase your audit knowledge by reading the Office of Auditor
General’s (OAG) Audit Buzz. In the latest issue, you'll find recently
completed audits including Adult and Community Education (ACE), Facilities Maintenance, and Workers Compensation, as well as other updates. View Audit Buzz
now.
The Foundation for FCPS is
soliciting nominations for Business Partner of the Year, Community Partner
of the Year, and Workforce Development Partner of the Year. The awards
recognize the valuable contributions being made by business and non-profit
partners in our schools and programs, and increase awareness of the importance
of business and civic involvement in supporting students in our schools. The nomination period will close on September 12. Awards will be handed out at the State of Education Luncheon on November
27. Visit the
Foundation’s website for more information.
Staff Staples
Note: Intranet access is required to open some of the links in this email. If you're using a mobile device or working remotely, you can connect to the intranet via the Pulse Secure VPN (Virtual Private Network). Email RequestIT@fcps.edu with questions.
Employee News is sent to all FCPS employees every Tuesday. Please email EmployeeNews@fcps.edu with potential submissions or questions. Submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. on Thursdays. Thank you!
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