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.

• Campus Attendance Recognition
• AETNA Member Benefits
• Near Site Clinic Discounts
• Benefit Year Reminder
• TRS Statement Update
• Refer a Friend
• Winter Safety Tips
• Email Security
• Comal Cares
  
• The HR Team

Congratulations to Church Hill Middle and Rebecca Creek Elementary for having the highest staff attendance rates for the month of November! Each month we'll be recognizing one elementary and one secondary campus with a traveling trophy to the winning campus. Church Hill achieved 96.7% and Rebecca Creek 96.78% staff attendance rates for the month. Congratulations and thank you for all you do!

NEAR SITE CLINICS. Available for ALL Comal ISD Members (Elect Choice or Baptist ACO). The Baptist Health System (BHS) offers twenty-eight (28) MedFirst clinic locations in New Braunfels and the surrounding areas with future expansions coming soon. $5 co-pay for members in the $30 co-payment plan and a $25 reduction in fee schedule. $25 discount for those on HD/HSA plans. 24/7 online scheduling with same day or next day appointments and an online patient portal for convenient access to employee health records.

Simple Steps to a Healthier Life Program. Members and covered spouses can earn a $50 gift card per plan year for completing a health assessment and one online health coaching journey. Also, choose a personal digital coach at any time to help you achieve your fitness/wellness goals. Go to www.aetna.com and look under Stay Healthy.

Beginning Right Maternity Program. Special Attention for a health pregnancy and baby at no extra cost. Sign up at 1-800-CRADLE-1 or at www.aetna.com and look under Stay Healthy.

Informed Health Line. 24/7 access to a nurse you can talk to about a number of topics. 1-800-556-1555.

Aetna Get Active. Get support from your coworkers by joining challenges each quarter. Visit

www.aetnagetactive.com, powered by ShapeUp Inc.

Teladoc. Talk to a doctor anytime 24/7/365 for a $40 copay visit. Speak with a doctor through phone, video or mobile app about symptoms, pick up a prescription at your local pharmacy. Qualify care when you need it from a national network of US Board-Certified doctors.

How to save with discount programs: Log into your secure member website at www.aetna.com. Choose Health Programs, then Discounts and follow the steps for each program you want to use.

• Vision Discount Program: through LensCrafters, Target, Pearle and others. Great rates on eye exams, contact lenses and eye care items.
• Fitness Discount Program: Reduced member fees at over 10,000 gyms in the GlobalFit network. www.globalfit.com/fitness
• Weight Management Discount Program: Save on eDiets, Jenny Craig or NutriSystem Natural Products and Services Discount Program: At least 25% off the normal fee on services through the ChooseHealthy Program which includes Massage therapy, Acupuncture, Chiropractic Care. Save 15 percent on over 2,400 products like vitamins, yoga equipment, etc.
• Hearing Discount Program: 2 options, Hearing Care Solutions and HearingPO

Don’t Forget! The Benefit year under our health insurance plans runs with the Calendar Year: January through December. That means deductibles will reset on January 1, 2019. Also – wellness claims and outpatient claims under the Critical Illness, Cancer and Accident plans run with the Calendar year as well. They will reset on January 1, 2019. Claim forms are available under Benefits on the Human Resources page of the Comal ISD website.

The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) began mailing annual statements to all active members who participate in the retirement system on Thursday, Oct. 25, 2018. The statements were mailed in batches throughout the month of November 2018 and all of the statements should have been mailed by December 1, 2018. All TRS eligible Comal ISD employees should have received their 2018 Annual Statements.

All statements were mailed this year and are not available through MyTRS online accounts.

The front side of the annual statement details your beginning account balance, the total amount of member contributions deposited into your member contribution account during the 2017-2018 school year, interest credited to your account and your account balance as of August 31, 2018.

The front page also includes your Date of Birth, years of TRS Service Credit and TRS Membership Tier. Your TRS Membership Tier defines your specific retirement eligibility requirements and early-age retirement reductions. For a full explanation of the individual Tiers, please refer to the TRS Benefits Handbook.

Please contact TRS immediately if you see any discrepancies in your information on the front side of the statement.

The back side of the statement includes information regarding recent changes in the law that may or may not affect your individual retirement considerations. This page includes information concerning what to do if you feel that the service credit shown on your statement is inaccurate or incomplete. It also includes deadlines that are very important for you to understand. Please note that Service Credit is determined on a September 1 – August 31 basis for all TRS members, regardless of your contract work agreement or work calendar.

Please review your information carefully, with special attention to your salary and service credit information. Please note that Comal ISD reports salary information to TRS on a monthly basis, however, TRS may adjust your salary to meet the requirement for annual compensation as defined by the TRS plan terms.

You can obtain more complete benefit information by reviewing the TRS Benefit Handbook and Frequently Asked Questions on the TRS website.

Comal ISD needs your help in finding great bus drivers and custodians!

Comal ISD employees that refer a candidate to apply for a bus driver or custodial position, AND the referred candidate is hired, will receive a total of $600 if the referred employee remains employed for one year. You will receive $200 after the referred employee is employed for 90 days, $200 after 6 months, and the final $200 after one year.

Please be sure to tell your friends that apply to share your name as their recruiter.

Any CISD Employees with job duties, whether explicit or implied, that involve the responsibility to recruit these types of employees are not eligible for this incentive.

As a reminder - please be on the lookout for scammers attempting 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.

“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.

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 / FIngerprinting

Rebekah Renteria

Human Resources Specialist

Phone: 830-221-2102

Email: rebekah.thudium@comalisd.org

Employee Records Requests / ID Badges / General HR Assistance

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

Certifications / Orientation / 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.

If you have news, topics, or celebrations you wish to have shared in this newsletter, please send an email to Marie Kuehler, Executive Director of Human Resources and Customer Service at marie.kuehler@comalisd.org.

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