Date or Deadline

Topic or Contractual Provision

September 1

Benefits Begin for New Hires:  For new hires beginning at the start of a school year, all benefits begin on September 1 regardless of VIP dates. (Article XXV, Section D.1.a).

September (1st Pay)

Dues Deduction―Beginning & End:  The total annual membership dues shall be deducted in ten (10) consecutive installments beginning with the first pay in September and continues for 10 consecutive pay periods (excluding pay periods in which members receive a third check in any given month). Therefore, dues deduction will end with the second paycheck in January (Article VII, Section A).

September 30

VOTE-COPE―Submission Deadline For Payroll Deduction Requests For The Current School Year (Article VII, Section I)

September 30

IRS 125 Plan (Cafeteria Plan)―Submission Deadline For Payroll Deduction Requests:  The fiscal year for the IRS 125 Plan is October 1 - September 30.

September 30

Master Schedule:  A copy of the master schedule for each building shall be given to the President of the Association by September 30th. (Article X, Section E) 

October 1

Salary Schedule Change:  Advancement from one salary schedule to the next shall be granted upon receipt by the Office of the Superintendent of official evidence attesting to the fulfilling of all requirements at an institution of higher learning qualifying said teacher for eligibility to the higher salary schedule. Such credit will be granted for the entire school year as long as official transcripts are in the Superintendent's office by October 1st of each year. Unofficial transcripts or a letter from your educational institution submitted prior to this date will suffice pending submission of the official transcripts. (Article XIX, Section K)

October 31

First Observation Deadline for Year 1 Teachers:  The first observation will be announced and will take place before the end of October. At least one observation will be scheduled during the second semester (Article XXVI, Section A.1.c).

End of 1st Quarter

Alternative Assessment Planned:  During the years that a classroom observation does not take place, and not later than the end of the first quarter, tenured teachers shall plan with their building principals and mutually agree upon alternative means of assessing their work. (Article XXVI, Section A.2)

December 1

Health Insurance Buyback―Deadline to Waive District Sponsored Health Insurance and Receive the Buyback Provision Effective January 1 (Article XXV, Section E)

January 1

Health Insurance Rates Change:  Insurance plans change their rates on this date.  CURRENT EXCEPTION: The Orange-Ulster School Districts' Health Plan changes its rates on July 1 to coincide with the fiscal year of public schools.

March 1

Increment At Retirement―Submission Deadline For Receiving The Additional Increment Before Retirement (Article XXV, Section I)

March 1

CBA Proposals During A Negotiations Year―Exchange Deadline:  The District and the Association will make every effort to commence negotiations by the exchange of proposals no later than March 1st, or the next school day when March 1st is not a school day, immediately preceding the expiration of this agreement (Article II, Section A). 

March 1

Teacher Assignment Requests:  Teachers will make known any preferences or requests for the coming school year's assignments not later than March 1st on a form provided by the Administration. In the event of denial, applicants shall be afforded a conference and written explanation. Where changes in tentative teaching assignments are necessary, teachers will be notified as soon as possible (Article X, Section A). 

March 1

Salary Schedule Change:  Advancement from one salary schedule to the next shall be granted on receipt by the Office of the Superintendent of official evidence attesting to the fulfilling of all requirements at an institution of higher learning qualifying said teacher for eligibility to the higher salary schedule. Such credit will be granted for the second half of the school year as long as official transcripts are in the Superintendent's office by March 1st of each year. Unofficial transcripts or a letter from your educational institution submitted prior to this date will suffice pending submission of the official transcripts (Article XIX, Section K).

March 1

Payment for Unused Sick Leave at Retirement―Submission Deadline For Receiving This Benefit (Article XXII, Section B)

March 31

Leave of Absence Request Deadline:  The Board may grant a leave of absence for one (1) year without pay for study, health, or for activities of a social significance (Peace Corps, Vista, Teacher Corps) which will result in professional growth. Application for such leave must be made to the Superintendent prior to April 1st of the school year preceding the year for which the leave is requested, unless there are extenuating, unforeseeable circumstances that precluded the making of a timely application (Article XXIV, Section A).

May 10

Submission of Meeting Hours:  Credit for meetings may be accumulated across school years but will only be accepted in May of each year.  Cards will be attached to claim forms that are signed by the building principal by May 10th.  The principal will send the claim to the Business Office for processing. Payment will be made to the member in June. Payment will be made in blocks of 30 hours according to the following rate: thirty (30) accrued hours:  $360. A member must have a minimum of 30 accrued hours to seek payment (Article XV, Section M).

May 15

Alternative Assessment Completed:  Alternative means of assessment must be completed by May 15th. (Article XXVI, Section B)

May 30

Assignment Notification to Teacher:  Written notification of tentative duties and assignments for the coming school year will be provided to each teacher by May 30th or the nearest school day. Notification of the tentative assignment given to the teacher on May 30th will include the following: (1) the building(s) to which the teacher will be assigned. (2) the grade level and/or subjects to be taught (Article X, Section B). 

June 1

Health Insurance Buyback―Deadline to Waive District Sponsored Health Insurance and Receive the Buyback Provision Effective July 1 (Article XXV, Section E): Make sure this options is included in your retirement letter. If receiving the buy-out provision you must be reentered into a health insurance plan 30 days before your effective retirement date. Be sure to fill out the form for the company you wish to utilize.

June 15

1st Payment Due For Insurance Dependent Coverage:  This is the first date that you must pay the district if you are keeping dependents on insurance coverage if your retirement effective date is June 30. You will pay ½ the difference between single and family coverage; however, you will no longer make the percentage contribution to your health insurance premium. 

June 30

Ten (10) or Twelve (12) Month Payment Plan:  Teachers shall have the option of receiving their yearly salary in either 22 (21) or 26 (25) payments based on the yearly calendar. A form will be available in the principal's office for any teacher wishing to change to either of the above options. Such forms must be completed by June 30th. This option is now provided on the member's yearly Salary Agreement (Article XVIII, Section A, B, C).

June

Payment of Meeting Hours:  Credit for meetings may be accumulated across school years but will only be accepted in May of each year.  Cards will be attached to claim forms that are signed by the building principal by May 10th.  The principal will send the claim to the Business Office for processing. Payment will be made to the member in June. Payment will be made in blocks of 30 hours according to the following rate: thirty (30) accrued hours:  $360. A member must have a minimum of 30 accrued hours to seek payment (Article XV, Section M).

June

Teacher Quality Initiative Training Payment:   For the 2008-9 and 2009-10 school years only, a teacher will receive $600 provided that s/he has completed the additional work hours of teacher quality initiative training.

Second Semester

Observation:  At least one observation will be scheduled during the second semester for Year 1, 2 and 3 teachers (Article XXVI, Section A.c and A.d).

July 1

OUSDHP Rates Change:   The Orange-Ulster School Districts' Health Plan changes its rates on this date to coincide with the fiscal year of public schools.

August 31

Benefits End:   For teachers whose period of employment ends on June 30 of a school year, benefits will end August 31. For more information see (Article XXV, Section D.b).

10 Years

Retirement Health Benefits―Number of Years a Member Must Work in the District to be Eligible (Article XXV, Section B) 

30 Days Notice

Health Coverage―Activate Before Retirement If Currently Receiving the Buyout:  Employees denied the benefit of District sponsored Health Insurance by operation of the buyout provision shall have the right to institute the coverage provided for in the CBA not more than thirty (30) days prior to retirement (Article XXV, Section F).

4 Months Notice

Childcare Leave―Initial Request:  Leave without pay shall be granted to all teachers for care of their newborn infants, including adopted newborn infants. Requests for such leave shall be made in writing at least four (4) months prior to the date on which the leave is to commence, specifying the dates on which the leave is to begin and end (Article XXII, Section H.1).

2 Months Notice

Childcare Leave―Extension:  Childcare leaves shall be granted for a maximum of two (2) years. Extensions of initial leaves, within the overall two-year maximum period, shall be granted pursuant to written requests submitted at least two (2) months in advance of the expiration of the initial leave. Leaves in excess of two (2) years may be granted at the sole discretion of the District (Article XXII, Section H.2).

2 Weeks Notice

Professional Conferences―Requests to Attend:  The Superintendent may at his/her discretion, grant reasonable requests for attendance by teachers to attend conferences in their particular teaching areas, which do not impose hardships in terms of teaching schedule and teacher coverage. Such requests, on a form provided by the Administration, must be submitted to the building principal at least two (2) weeks prior to the requested date. Such form will be returned to the teacher at least one (1) week prior to the event (Article XXIV, Section B).

NYSTRS Application Benchmarks

NYSTRS Application Benchmarks: To begin receiving payments, you must file a retirement application with the System. Your effective date of retirement can be the same day you file, but you cannot apply any sooner than 90 days prior to your retirement date. The date of resignation you provide your employer differs from the date of retirement with NYSTRS. For NYSTRS' purposes, the effective date of retirement that you enter on your retirement application must be at lease one day after the last date you earned salary under contract. For example, if you last earn salary under contract on June 30, the earliest effective date of retirement you could select is July 1. If necessary, you may change the benefit payment choice you made on your retirement application up to 30 days after your retirement date by filing an Election of Retirement Benefit form (RET-54.6). If you have questions or want an application, contact the NYSTRS via the web: www.nystrs.org or by phone (800-348-7298). 

February 2004

175 Hour Requirement:  Members certified starting February 1, 2004 must complete the 175 hour requirement for recertification starting the July following the issue date of their professional certificate.