The Source

The Source is a newsletter for all Comal ISD employees. The Source brings recognition, timely reminders and beneficial articles to the employees in an effort to provide increased communication and connection regarding human resources and customer service topics.

• Contracts, LRAs and Last Day to Resign
  
• Flexible Spending Accounts and Aetna coverage with "Specialty Drugs"
• Important Benefits Information for those Retiring/Resigning at the end of the school year
  
• Compensation for 2018-2019
• In The Spotlight- Nurses
• Customer Service Corner- Finishing Strong
  

• All contract employees should sign their contract by May 25
  
• Letters of Reasonable Assurance will be available to employees not on contracts and should be acknowledged by June 5.
  
• The last day to resign from your contract position is Monday, July 16.
  

Flexible Spending Accounts

If you are enrolled in a Medical Reimbursement Account, funds must be used by July 31, 2018. You will have a 90 day period after July 31, 2018 to file any claims for reimbursement, but the activity must have occurred before the end of July. On August 1, funds will be available for the new plan year if you re-enrolled in a Medical Reimbursement Account, or enrolled for the first time. You will not receive a new Debit Card from TASC unless you are a new member. TASC will load new funds onto your current card. If you have lost or misplaced your TASC card, please contact Glenna Miranda in the Benefits Office.

Important Information from Benefits and AETNA if you take a “Specialty Drug”

If you currently take a specialty drug under United Health Care, it is recommended that you get them refilled no later than July 15, 2018 so that you do not have a gap in medication needs with the switch to our new provider, AETNA. Instructions for obtaining specialty drugs under AETNA are provided below.

What is a Specialty Drug? A specialty drug or medication is a biologic or traditional drug which requires additional management for a complex, chronic, or life threatening condition that typically has two or more of the following attributes:

· Treats a condition which requires intensive clinical monitoring of the patient.

· Requires special patient training or patient compliance assistance.

· Requires special handling, such as storage or preparation.

· Requires special administration by the patient or the healthcare professional.

· Has a limited distribution network

· Has a high total cost

If you are currently taking a specialty drug, please read the attached information from AETNA regarding the approval and use of AETNA’s Specialty Pharmacy.

Here are some Aetna Specialty Pharmacy FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

https://www1.aetna.com/provider/specialty_faqs.html

Teachers and Paraprofessionals will continue to receive a paycheck through August 15, 2018. Administrators and Auxiliary employees are on a different payroll calendar. Please contact payroll or human resources if you are unsure when your last paycheck will be given.

The Benefit plan year terms on July 31, 2018. If you did not complete Open Enrollment and enroll in benefits for next year, your benefits will term on July 31, 2018. If you completed Open Enrollment and re-enrolled in Comal ISD Benefits, they will be termed on August 31, 2018 after the final payroll has been run. If your last paycheck is in June, your benefits will term in June, if your last paycheck is in July, then benefits will term on the last day of July.

If you are retiring, make sure you know the start date for your TRS (or other) benefits. If you have a 9/1/2018 start date for those benefits and did not re-enroll in the Comal ISD insurance plans, you may have a lapse in coverage for the month of August.

Contact Glenna Miranda if you have any questions. 830-221-2040 or glenna.miranda@comalisd.org

On May 9, 2018 the Board of Trustees approved a 1.5% salary increase for all employees.

*In order to be eligible for the raise in salary employees must have worked at least 90 days during the 2017-2018 school year.

We are proud of the tremendous work our almost 2,500 employees do to make our district exceptional. In order to educate our team about all the unique and vital services provided by our employees, we will highlight Comal ISD team roles in each newsletter. You are encouraged to send your stories and suggestions to mandy.epley@comalisd.org for roles you wish to see highlighted in future newsletters.

This month we are highlighting the work of our school nurses. Take a moment to thank your school nurse for their dedication to our students and staff.

This year, NB Masons participated in doing classroom visits promoting good oral/dental health at the following schools:

Clear Spring Elementary

Freiheit Elementary School

Morningside Elementary

Oak Creek Elementary

Goodwin Frazier Elementary

Johnson Ranch Elementary

They provided kits with toothbrushes, etc to the students.

We delivered 587 kits in Comal ISD this year. All the school nurses are exceptional in their enthusiasm and delivery.

We often think of first impressions as the most important part of customer service. It is important to note that while our energy and positive efforts at the start of a school year are critical, the ending of the experience can not be overlooked. First impressions are important but lasting impressions are the cornerstone for a legacy of excellence.

If we make sure the customer’s last experience is a positive one – an above average experience, even an amazing experience – then the customer will self-reinforce that positive emotion for a long time after the actual experience. Maybe that positive reinforcement will express itself during the ride home when the customer thinks back about how nice it was to interact with someone who smiled, could answer questions, was helpful, respectful and more. In other words, the last impression lasts.

Maybe the last impression came as a result of a simple “Good bye” or “Have a nice day.” Or perhaps it was someone who stepped up and demonstrated expertise or went above and beyond, creating a confidence that the customer didn’t have before the interaction began.

So, as we wrap up our interactions with students, parents, community members and each other as this school year comes to a close, ask yourself what you are doing or saying to make a lasting impression? What are you doing and saying to cultivate a feeling of appreciation?

Between the first impression and the last impression, there are many interactions that may take place. Make your lasting impression a positive one Thank you for a wonderful 2017-2018 school year, enjoy your summer, and we can't wait to see you again for another great school year!

If you have news, topics, or celebrations you wish to have shared in this newsletter, please send an email to Mandy Epley, Executive Director of Human Resources and Customer Service at mandy.epley@comalisd.org.

Email: mandy.epley@comalisd.org
Website: www.comalisd.org
Location: 1404 Interstate 35 N, New Braunfels, TX, 78130
Phone: (830) 221-2026
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comalisd
Twitter: @CISDNews