BSD Staff Updates
Elizabeth moved to Washington from Oregon eight years ago and is thrilled to be serving as an HR Specialist for Bremerton School District. With a diverse background in international education, retail management, and human resources, she is deeply committed to supporting the district's outstanding staff and contributing to a positive, thriving educational environment.
Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys staying active through running and hiking, as well as indulging in her passions for puzzling, baking, and watching crime dramas. She loves spending time with her husband, their 9-year-old son, and two dogs. A dedicated sports fan, Elizabeth particularly enjoys football (Go Ducks) and never misses an opportunity to watch or attend games. She believes that a hearty breakfast and a good sense of humor are essential ingredients for a happy, fulfilling life.
Welcome Elizabeth!
In case you missed the email....
The following information was sent out to all staff via email on January 2, 2025. This annual newsletter is also posted on the "FOR STAFF" page on the website.
2024 W-2
Please go into Employee Access (EA+) to confirm your mailing address. If it is not accurate, email Stephanie Nagle in Human Resources to update it before January 10, 2025. The first time you log into EA+ you will be prompted to choose how you would like to receive your W-2. We encourage the electronic version (never lost in the mail). If you do not answer or select “ask me later” and don’t respond by January 10th, the system will default to your prior year’s choice. W-2’s will be available on or before January 31, 2025.
2024 1095-C
Confirming the accuracy of your address in EA+ will also ensure receipt of your 2024 1095-C. You will be able to receive your 2024 1095-C electronically, as well. If you have not yet done so, please log into your EA+ account to make your choice. Form 1095-C’s will be available on or before January 31, 2025.
Your Official Name
The name on your Social Security card is your official name. The Internal Revenue Service may impose a $50 fine if the name and Social Security number on your W-2 do not match. The District requires the name in our HR System to match the name on your Social Security card. However, the name on your 1095-C must match the name you used to file your federal income tax return. If the two do not match, the IRS will reject your 1095-C. Our payroll system does not allow for multiple names; therefore, it is important for you to use the official name on your Social Security card when filing your federal income tax return. Please review and compare your Social Security card to your name and Social Security number in EA+. If the two do not match, please notify Human Resources immediately. You will be required to bring in a current copy of your Social Security card.
Opportunity for PLAN 2 Members
Certain TRS and SERS Plan 2 members are eligible to transfer to Plan 3, during the month of January ONLY. If you wish to transfer, contact DRS at 1-800-547-6657 to determine if you qualify and to obtain assistance with locating and completing the Member Transfer Form. The form must be submitted to the Payroll Office on or before January 31, 2025. Information may also be found on the DRS website: http://www.drs.wa.gov . Search for “Plan 3 January Transfer Opportunity”. Remember, once you transfer to Plan 3, it is irrevocable.
Sick Leave Incentive Program
The District’s Sick Leave Incentive Program provides you with the ability to cash out up to twelve (12) days of sick leave earned in the prior calendar year (January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024), less any sick leave used during the same time period. Selling back sick leave is optional. If eligible, you may receive a “cash out” or a “VEBA” contribution at an effective rate of 25% (four days of sick leave equals one day of pay).
To determine if you are eligible to sell back sick leave:
1) Obtain your sick leave balance through Red Rover. Balances have been updated as of December. If you have any leave entered for January 2025 make sure to add this back into your balance.
2) Divide the result in 1) above by the number of hours you are contracted/assigned to work on a daily basis.
3) If the result in 2) above is greater than 68, you may be eligible to sell back up to twelve days above 68. If the result is less, you are not eligible. (Remember: 4 days of sick leave equals 1 day of pay)
Other Important Details:
1) To qualify for a VEBA contribution, your sick leave balance as of September 1, 2024 (July 1, 2024 for Administrators) must have been at least 180 days.
2) District policy allows each employee to carry from the “ending” school year to the next school year a sick leave balance equal to 100% of your contract/assigned hours for the “ending” year. Any excess hours on August 31st will be forfeited. An adjustment for excess hours will be made on the September payroll, after the August leave is recorded. Participation in the annual Sick Leave Buy Back program may assist you in preventing a forfeiture.
3) If you were previously notified of an excess sick leave balance, but your excess hours were being “Grandfathered” as long as you annually participate in the Sick Leave Buy Back program, this is your ONLY reminder of your need to participate. Failure to comply will result in the forfeiture of your excess hours in August 2025.
If you determine you are eligible and you choose to take advantage of the program, complete the Google Form "BSD Sick Leave Buy Back" no later than February 1, 2025.
General Information
2025 Employee Payroll Tax Rates & Maximums
Washington State Minimum Wage: $16.66 per hour (was $16.28)
Social Security: 6.2 % of wages up to $176,100 (was $168,600)
Medicare: 1.45% of all wages (plus the employee, only, pays an additional .9% on wages over $200,000) (no change)
Washington Paid Family Leave: .658% of wages up to $176,100 (was .58% up to $168,600)
Unemployment Wages: up to $72,800 (was $68,500)
Long Term Care Tax (WACARES): .58% of Wages
Due in February or March
If you applied for and were approved to receive sick leave buy back in January 2025, please closely review your February 2025 earnings statement. If there is an error in your sick leave buy back, it MUST BE addressed by March 11, 2025.
Questions?
Alicia Vasquez
Payroll Specialist
Bremerton School District
360-473-1038
The 2025-26 academic calendar (English and Spanish) is posted on the District website. This will be shared with families this month.
As you have likely heard, we are excited to have transitioned to a new school-to-home communication tool called ParentSquare. You may have heard of it as many districts regionally and nationally have made or are making the switch, including SK, CK and Bainbridge!
This unified communications platform lets parents choose how they receive information (email, text or app notification), and when they get it (instantly or via a daily digest at 6 p.m.). We can still send the occasional “robo call” too! ParentSquare has many features that will make communication with parents more efficient and easy for teachers, staff, coaches and principals too!
ParentSquare is a safe, secure, and modern approach to communication and collaboration between school and home! I invite all staff to watch this 3-minute ParentSquare introduction video for a quick overview! I also encourage you to look at this “Getting Started” guide with tips and helpful links to training on different features.
As a reminder:
ParentSquare is the district’s adopted platform and is the mandated tool for communication with students and parents.
ParentSquare has replaced Remind*
All staff in the District are automatically set-up with an account.
If you need more access in ParentSquare, please contact your principal or supervisor.
There are lots of training articles accessible by clicking on the question mark in the upper right hand corner, once you are logged-in to ParentSquare. There are links to training in every staff newsletter. Check out the archives here.
*WST staff still have access to Remind through the end of the school year.
Click here to access and complete your ALICE training.
If you haven't gotten the ALICE training link yet? Check your spam folder. If it's still missing, let Patty Glaser (31003 or Patty.Glaser@BremertonSchools.org) know.
January 9, 2025 Meeting
At the January 9th Board Meeting, Mountain View Middle School Assistant Principal Kyle Homad provided an update on Fall and Winter sports.
Interim Superintendent Colosky recognized January as School Board Recognition month and presented school board members with certificates of appreciation.
President Biden's release of a Proclamation announcing the death of James Earl Carter, Jr. and announcement of January 9, 2025 as a National Day of Mourning was also recognized.
POLICY NEWS:
The following policies were adopted by the board:
The following policy was brought to the board for a first read and were approved:
Other Business:
- 2024-25 Sub Rates
- Agreement between the Association of Bremerton Administrators and the District - July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2027
For more information about these meetings and to view any of these documents, visit BoardDocs.
Mariners offer group ticket discounts for school groups
Group Tickets Overview:
- Complimentary scoreboard message.
- 2 complimentary tickets to a game in 2025 during the regular season.
- Marketing flyer to help promote your event.
- Option to make outing a fundraiser by adding an amount above the ticket prices listed above and selling them for that rate. For example, selling the $10 ticket for $15, and $5 will go back to support your programs. We recommend not pricing the tickets higher than the face value.
Pricing:
- Protected pricing for groups of 20 or more involving students: $10 view level and $18 main level seat (excludes some game dates). No deposit needed to reserve seats!
- Option to add gift cards for full stadium usage!
Questions? More info?
Nate Altenhofen
Sales Consultant
Seattle Mariners
Nathan.Altenhofen@mariners.com
P: +1 206-346-4526
Bremerton School District
Email: communications@bremertonschools.org
Website: www.BremertonSchools.org
Phone: 360-473-1000
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram!