The Source
Comal ISD Human Resources and Customer Service Newsletter
AUGUST 2018: In This Issue:
- Welcome Back
- New Year, New You- Changing your information
- Paycheck and Benefit Information
- AETNA Health Insurance
- Flu Shots
- Compliance Videos - Frontline Education
- Staff ID Badges
- Email Security
- Classroom Safety
- Workers' Compensation
- PerkSpot Discount Program
- Comal Cares
- The HR Team
Welcome Back!
Each new school year starts with a tremendous feeling of anticipation and excitement. You can actually feel the energy as you walk the halls of our campuses. With the start of the new school year we are reminded of the promise of the future and the amazing power that is generated when we work together to put students first. Comal ISD employees work as teams to provide the best possible learning environment for every student in the district. We believe that together, through our commitment to those we serve and our daily actions, we not only support our students but, we also strengthen our community.
As a member of the Comal ISD team, you:
- Learn and Perform your job with high expectations
- Deliver exceptional customer service
- Work for the TEAM AND
- Own our student performance
As we start the 2018-19 school year, The Department of Human Resources and Customer Service pledges to support all of our team members and we hope you will call on us whenever you need our support.
Thank you for your service and collaboration with our students, families, and each other.
Have an amazing year!
Department of Human Resources and Customer Service
New Year, New You!
Did you move this summer? Did you get a new phone number? Did your name change?
It is important to make sure we have updated information on record for you.
If you need to update your mailing address, contact information or name, please log on to the intranet and click on Employee Access Pay/Att to access ITCCS Employee Portal. Once logged on, you can update your profile information. If you are changing your name, please remember to send a copy of your new Social Security card to Rebekah Renteria in order to complete the official name change.
Paycheck and Benefit Information
August and September Paycheck & Benefit Information
The new Benefit Plan year began on August 1, 2018. Health Insurance premium changes were reflected in your August paycheck.
Effective August 1, 2018 Aetna is the Medical Insurance Provider for Comal ISD.
Group Number 0285796 / Aetna Customer Service: 1-800-317-9020
The Summaries of Benefits and Coverage are posted on the Comal ISD website under Human Resources/Benefits. The purpose of these summaries is to provide members with standard information for your choice in medical plans. A paper copy is available at no cost upon request. You may view the summaries at the following link:
DIDN’T RECEIVE YOUR AETNA ID CARD?
ID Cards were mailed on July 16, 2018 and will arrive in an unmarked, plain envelope. If you have not received your ID card, please take the following steps:
- Click on the link below. You will need to provide your social security number and create a user account. https://www.aetna.com/AccountManagerV3/register/selfService/registerMember
- Once you are logged in, click on “ID CARDS” in the top menu and you can view and/or print your card.
Please download the free Aetna Navigator App for your phone and you will have a digital ID card on your phone with you at all times. Deductible, out of pocket maximums and prescription information is currently being transferred from United Health Care to Aetna. Due to the size of the file, there has been a slight delay and those amounts are not viewable on the AETNA website. They will be available within the next few business days.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Benefits Office in Human Resources.
Remember: Health Insurance deductibles run with the calendar year and will not be re-set until January 1, 2019. Any medical expenses incurred between August and December will continue to be applied to the 2018 calendar year deductible.
Board Approved Pay Raises
The Comal ISD Board of Trustees generously voted in May to provide all eligible employees with a 1.5% salary increase for the 2018-2019 school year. In order to qualify for a salary increase, an employee must have been employed in their position for 90 workdays in the 2017-18 school year. Please see below for when this change will be reflected in paychecks:
- July Paycheck - Eligible employees working 227 - 237 days received this increase beginning with their July paycheck.
- August Paycheck - Eligible employees working 207 – 226 days received this increase beginning with their August paycheck.
- September Paycheck - Eligible employees working 175 – 206 days will receive this increase beginning with their September paycheck.
IMPORTANT: All employees should log into the Employee Portal after the upcoming August and September pay dates to review your pay and benefit information. Check your deductions carefully and report any errors as soon as possible.
If you find a discrepancy, please contact hr@comalisd.org immediately, so that the correction can be made.
We’re excited to offer you some great wellness perks through our partnership with Aetna.* To get started, register for your secure member website at www.aetna.com. Your member website can help you find ways to improve your overall health, get answers to your health care questions and score discounts.
Earn a reward for putting your health first
You can earn a $50** gift card for completing your health assessment and one online health coaching journey. Just log in to your member website to get started. It’s all part of improving your overall health through the Simple Steps To A Healthier Life® program.
This online wellness program can help you learn ways to improve your health or simply fine-tune your daily habits. You can also pinpoint and manage your health needs in one easy-to-use tool, like:
- Understanding your health needs by taking the online health assessment
- Setting goals for yourself based on the results of your assessment
- Choosing an online health coaching program that best targets your goals
Don’t worry. This site is secure, so your information is safe.
*Wellness and discount offerings may vary by state.
**Plan year maximum of $50 per employee and spouse or domestic partner.
Get answers to your questions — 24/7
Just call 1-800-556-1555 anytime to reach our Informed Health® Line for help for you, or others who are on your Aetna plan. You can talk to a nurse about a number of topics. You can even ask about the best approach for a current condition. The best part? It’s free. To learn more, visit the “24-Hour Nurse Line” section on your Aetna Navigator® member website.
Connect with your coworkers to reach your health goals
Sometimes it’s nice to know that you’re not alone in trying to achieve your health goals. With the Aetna Get ActiveSM program, you can get support from your coworkers by joining challenges each quarter. Log steps and minutes of exercise, whether by yourself or on a team. All you have to do is visit www.aetnagetactive.com to get started.
Aetna Get Active is powered by ShapeUp, Inc., a leader in global social wellness solutions. Please be on the lookout for more information about this program.
Be in the know about your health and well-being
Quest Diagnostics Health & Wellness Services helps improve your understanding of your health and well-being. It’s no fun sorting through figures and facts alone. This program does the work for you by offering new insights through your lab results. We encourage you to share the results with your primary care physician. Together, you can create a wellness plan that works best for you.
Please be on the lookout for more information about when and where screening events will be available. We’ll also tell you how to reserve time for your screening.
Enjoy discounts for healthier living
We know saving money is important to you. And your needs are unique. That’s why we offer discounts on a wide variety of products and services to help you save. You can find a list of discounts that come with your plan. Select “Coverage & Benefits,” then “Discounts” in Aetna Navigator. You may get discounts on:
- At-home products
- Books
- Fitness and weight management
- Hearing, vision and oral health care
Questions?
Aetna Navigator is the place to get details on recent claims, estimate health care costs and tap into wellness resources. Log in anytime and “Ask Ann” for help. Ann is your virtual assistant. Or call the number on your Aetna ID card.
Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of subsidiary companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna). Discount programs provide access to discounted prices and are not part of an insured plan or policy. The member is responsible for the full cost of the discounted services. Aetna may receive a percentage of the fee you pay to the discount vendor. Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice. Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. Aetna does not provide care or guarantee access to health care services. The health assessment is used in a variety of ways to support Aetna products and services that help you manage your health. Aetna will use your health assessment information in compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy and security rules. For more information, view Aetna’s Notice of Privacy Practices, located at the bottom of Aetna’s website; or call the number on the back of your ID card. Information is believed to be accurate as of the production date; however, it is subject to change. For more information about Aetna plans, refer to www.aetna.com.
All wellness allowances are subject to review and approval by Aetna. Aetna has the right to determine whether or not any particular allowance usage is permitted under applicable law and the applicable contract with the plan sponsor.
Flu Shots are Coming Soon
Accessing Training
- If you have previously logged in to Frontline Education, your password has not changed. Simply go to https://www.frontlineeducation.com/Insights/ETC_login and click Login. If you have difficulty, please contact the online support through Live Chat. As a reminder, you district email is your username.
- If you are unsure of what your password is, please click on the “Forgot Password” link.
2.) Upon login, you’ll see your training program, Comal ISD Required Compliance Training, in the Your Transcript box on the Welcome page. Click on Register and then on Open Curriculum. Once the curriculum has opened, there will be a list of courses. There will be both REQUIRED training and OPTIONAL training. You are required to complete all modules in the REQUIRED library.
3.) Click the Launch link to read the note describing your instructions for completion. Click Mark Complete. The note will close. Then click the Launch links for the courses to open them.
4.) If you’re having trouble with the videos not loading, please try opening the videos with Mozilla Firefox and turn the pop-up blocker off.
If you have any questions please email hr@comalisd.org
Reminder - Staff ID Badges
Beginning with the 2018-2019 School Year, with an effective date of July 2, a fee of $10 will be assessed for ID badges that have been lost or stolen.
ID badges with normal wear and tear that no longer work will be replaced at no charge to the employee once they have been returned to Human Resources. A new badge will not be issued until the non-working badge has been turned in.
Employees with a name change will receive a badge at no charge once they turn in their old badge and complete the appropriate steps to change their name through the Employee Self-Service portal.
If an employee needs a new ID badge for any reason, they need to submit a Badge Replacement Form in TalentEd Records (under Blank Docs). They can also contact the Human Resources Department at 830-221-2121, sonya.vargas@comalisd.org or
hr@comalisd.org and the form will be electronically sent to them. For new badges that are assessed the $10 charge, the fee will be deducted from their next paycheck.
Please contact the Human Resources Department at 830-221-2121,
sonya.vargas@comalisd.org or hr@comalisd.org with any questions you may have regarding your ID badge.
Email Security
The back to school time is a prime time for scammers to attempt to steal account usernames and passwords by sending out phishing emails that look like requests from the Technology HelpDesk. These requests may ask you to reset, verify or even ask you to do something to prevent your account from being deleted. As an example: Many of you have received an email over the last several weeks requesting you to click a link to keep your account from being De-activated. This was a scam email and was not from the district.
The Comal ISD Technology Department and the Comal ISD HelpDesk will never send you an email asking you for your username and password, or asking you to click a link and enter your username and password.
If you have received an email like this and have entered your username and password or have any concerns, please contact the Comal ISD HelpDesk either by phone at 830.221.2027, by email at help.desk@comalisd.org, or by placing a work order. If you ever receive an email that you feel is suspicious, please forward it to help.desk@comalisd.org and they will review it for you.
Classroom Safety
Workers' Compensation
The best way to avoid a workplace injury is to work safely. Be sure to use proper lifting techniques, look for liquids spilled on floor to avoid slips, trips and falls and remind others to do the same!
REMINDER: Comal ISD employees that are injured while at work need to complete the workers' compensation packet. This packet needs to be submitted to the Risk Management office no later than 24 hours after the injury occurs. Please remember this packet needs to be completed regardless of whether the employee plans on seeking medical attention. Workers' Compensation packets should be printed and left in areas where they are easily accessible after hours.
The Workers' Compensation packet can be found online at:
Department Contacts:
Work Related injuries:
Belinda Raindl, CSRM, RTSBA
Director of Budget & Risk Management
830-221-2062
Justine Swick
Coordinator of Budget & Risk Management
830-221-2034
Selma Garcia
Business Office Support Associate
830-221-2136
Questions about FMLA or Temporary Disability Leave:
Glenna Miranda (HR Department)
Employee Benefits Coordinator
830-221-2040
New to Comal ISD? Sign up for your perks!
Comal ISD is happy to offer the PerkSpot Employee Discount Program to all its employees.
What is PerkSpot?
As an employee, PerkSpot is now your personal online savings resource -- a place to find discounts and rebates on goods and services from many of the best known brand names in the U.S. --online and off, nationally and locally.
Here's all you need to do to put PerkSpot to work for you. From your work or home computer, go to Comal ISD PerkSpot site - https://comalisd.perkspot.com/login - and follow the step-by-step instructions to register. We've got all the discount information ready for you on our site, you've just got to login to have access to all our discounts -- many are updated daily and weekly! Just pick out what you'd like, follow the instructions provided on PerkSpot and check out. PerkSpot's savings are convenient and valuable -- from everyday purchases like groceries to special purchases like family vacations or auto insurance.
It's all possible on PerkSpot.
Comal Cares: Share your 51% Today!
“Customer service is taking the opportunity to turn any situation into a personal, positive experience.”
Comal Cares Philosophy
- Treat all people with courtesy, dignity and respect
- Practice open, honest, two-way communication
- Base all decisions on what is best for students
- Take ownership for providing the best service possible
- Respond to phone calls and emails with in 24 hours
- Listen to all concerns
As we receive specific praise for employees who go above and beyond in their daily service to the community of Comal ISD and to the students and families we serve, we would like to honor them in our Spotlight section each month.
We look forward to celebrating the great work of our Comal ISD team members by sharing your 51%! Scan the QR code on the Comal Cares poster on your campus to share great service you have seen or email Marie Kuehler at marie.kuehler@comalisd.org to send pictures and a story about great hospitality and service. We will share through our "In the Spotlight" section in future newsletters.
The HR Team Is Here to Assist You
Please contact us if you need assistance, we are happy to help!
Employee Benefits / Leave & Absences
Glenna Miranda
Employee Benefits Coordinator
Phone: 830-221-2040
Email: glenna.miranda@comalisd.org
Employment Opportunities / General HR Assistance
Rebekah Renteria
Human Resources Specialist
Phone: 830-221-2102
Email: rebekah.thudium@comalisd.org
Certifications / Orientation / Employee Records Requests
Samantha Whitney
Employment Specialist
Phone: 830-221-2118
Email: sam.whitney@comalisd.org
Substitutes / Reporting Absences
Sonia Hernandez
Substitute Specialist
Phone: 830-221-2043
Email: sonia.hernandez@comalisd.org
Work Day Calendars / Employment Verifications / Position Changes
Burnita Reininger
Systems Information Specialist
Phone: 830.221.2607
Email: burnita.reininger@comalisd.org
Staff ID Badges / Fingerprinting / Background Checks
Sonya Vargas
Human Resources Specialist
Phone: 830-221-2121
Email: sonya.vargas@comalisd.org
Human Resources and Customer Service
Marie Kuehler
Executive Director of Human Resources and Customer Service
Phone: 830.221.2635
Email: marie.kuehler@comalisd.org
Human Resources and Customer Service FAQs
Where do I send my transcripts to add a new degree?
How do I view my pay information?
How do I get a verification of employment?
Answers to these and many other frequently asked questions are posted in the Human Resources and Customer Service FAQs. You can access the information on the Comal ISD webpage on the main Human Resources and Customer Service page or under Employee Resources.
Comal ISD Department of Human Resources and Customer Service
Email: marie.kuehler@comalisd.org
Website: www.comalisd.org
Location: 1404 Interstate 35 N, New Braunfels, TX, 78130
Phone: (830) 221-2635
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/comalisd
Twitter: @CISDNews