Hugh M. Spoljaric, President
“Pestiferous Politics”
On the opening school day of this year, I commented to all of you that I had lost much of my faith in government. This was following the failed FEMA response to Hurricane Katrina and all of the covering up, rhetoric, and political spin that was evolving. Eight months later, it’s gotten precipitously worse.
On the federal level, it’s evident that both the legislative and executive branches of government are pathetic. Self-serving, unethical, lying, procrastinating denizens of the deep supported by self-serving, unethical, lying peons that suck up like parasites on a host. Are all of our leaders unprincipaled?
On the state
level, things are beginning to mirror the federalists. The Governor has become
another George in proposing
$400 million in vouchers (public dollars for private schools) and
Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D) and Senator Martin Golden (R), both of
As a result, the state aid package has become a big step toward meeting the needs of all public schools and satisfying the court order in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case. State aid will increase by $1.1 billion with the final district numbers forthcoming on the presentation of an accepted state budget. Plans to limit any and all school votes to a single day were rejected. Plans to reward districts that vote down school budgets that increase over 4% were rejected. Plans to maintain and expand pre-kindergarten programs by $250 million were accepted.
On the local
level, the pentamerous skeletons that abhor schools and teachers are back! This
penology of pompous and pontificating purveyors of prejudice and petulance are,
again, on the road to perdition. Their perspective of the schools, on a daily
basis without setting foot inside makes me feel as if I’m embedded with a
platoon of infantry in
And, that’s the Bottom Line.
KTF/NHAI SCHOLARSHIPS
Graduating seniors who have been accepted
for fall admission to institutions of higher learning and whose responsible
adult is a KTF member (teachers, esp, subs, and
retirees) may apply for $100 KTF Scholarships May 2-May 24. Building Reps have
the forms. All applications must include the form, a letter of acceptance to an
institution of higher learning, and a refundable check to KTF in the amount of
$30. The check will be returned if the student cannot attend the event or kept
and returned upon attendance at the Apple Gala at Wiltwyck on Wednesday, June
21, 4-7 pm.
The National Health Administrators
Scholarship is open to all members who have health insurance through National
Health. Applications will be available from Lauri Naccarato at KHS beginning on
May 17. All NHAI entry forms are due back to Lauri by May 31.
APPLE GALA TICKETS: will be available from Building Reps on May 22. Members
are encouraged to bulk their ticket orders through the Building Rep to secure a
reservation. And, don’t forget to buy a Raffle ticket in support of the KTF
Scholarship Program.
KTF HONORED
The
KTF and our members donated to Relay For Life, the Pantry Drive for Holy
Cross Church, the Hudson Valley Blood Drive, the Katrina Relief Pajama Program,
42 scholarships to graduating seniors, honorees at the Apple Gala, $1000 each
to UPAC and the Kingston Area Library, $750 to the Kids’ Classic, and $500 each
to U.C. Mental Health, Juvenile Diabetes, and the Butch Zullo Golf Scholarship
Fund.
The award will be presented at the NYSUT Representative Assembly in
TORCHLIGHTS
RETIREMENTS: Add Paula Orza, Foreign Language teacher at
Miller, whose name was inadvertently omitted from the March list.
CONTRACT: Please
note that teacher unit members on leave shall notify the district by April 1 of
their intention to return at the beginning of the fall semester.
PROFESSIONAL
GROWTH: 28 KTF members attended the Defensive Driving course on April 4-5 at
Miller. Pat Neher coordinated the course.
DECLARED
RETIREES: Remember, if you have in excess of 205 sick days, contact Glenn
Gallagher @ GW and donate to the KTF Moore Days Sick Bank.
KIDS’CLASSIC: Last
call to volunteer for a two hour Saturday morning adventure. Teachers with less
than ten years in the district are encouraged to build bridges now for the next
ten years.
WOMEN’S HEALTH and
FITNESS EXPO: The 6th annual event will be held at
HEALTH TRUST NOTICES
Members are
reminded that they are REQUIRED to submit a change notice to the Trust Office,
in writing, for any of the following events. Notice of these events is
imperative in order to protect the individual’s COBRA rights and benefit
coverage under the plan. Whenever a dependent loses coverage due to age, death,
divorce, legal separation, etc., they have the right to continue benefits for
up to 36 months under COBRA. This right may be forfeited if you do not
provide timely notification to the Trust within 60 days of any COBRA event.
*When your
child reaches age 19-coverage ends at the end of the calendar year
during which your child turns age 19, unless the child continues on as a full
time student.
*When your
child ceases to be a full time student- coverage ends at the end of the
calendar month if a dependent ceases to be a full time student or at the end of
the calendar year when the student graduates. Full time students are eligible
for coverage through the end of the calendar year in which they attain age 23.
Student status verification must be submitted to the Trust Office EVERY SCHOOL
TERM before your child is eligible for coverage and benefits.
*When you
or your spouse retire-an ‘Updated Other Coverage Form’ must
be completed.
*When you,
your spouse, or a disabled dependent becomes eligible for MediCare-you will
also need to update all providers on the new primary and secondary coverage.
*Whenever
your spouse changes, loses, or acquires other group health coverage.
*Whenever
you marry, divorce, get a legal separation, or acquire or lose a dependent.
*Upon the
death of a spouse or dependent.
*Whenever a dependent becomes permanently and tpotally disabled.
*Whenever
there is a change in a dependent’s coverage due to court order or change in
residence.
*Out of
Area Registration-you must apply for Out of Area status before OOA benefits go
into effect. This is for anyone living outside the normal coverage area,
including college students.
*Change of
address—including any address change for a dependent or spouse.
Any additional concerns? Contact Miriam at the Trust Office,
845-338-5422 or email: ktf781@aol.com.
125 Cafeteria Plan Opportunities
The initial enrollment for the new 125
plan for coverage from February-June yielded only 32 active eligible teacher
members. The full plan year will be offered in June. Here is a message from
NHAI to assist in planning for a 125 plan.
Coverage under your NHAI plan is very
comprehensive, yet there are always going to be some medical and dental
expenses that are not covered. These expenses may qualify as eligible expenses under the district’s 125 plan. Setting aside pre-tax dollars
to cover your out of pocket costs is the absolute best way to pay for these
expenses, but it takes planning. Be sure to refer to your Summary Plan
Description to see if there are any limits on reimbursements under the Medical
Reimbursement Account (MRA) or if it covers any medical expense that is
permitted under Code Section 231, including many over the counter drugs. A good
example of expenses not typically covered by your health plan that can be
funded through your MRA account is massage therapy, elliptical exercisers for
your eyes, bio feedback, routine foot care, and normal co-pays and deductibles.
Take into account the possible tax
savings—FICA taxes (7.65%), state taxes (5%-6%), and federal income taxes
(15%-33%). Take a look at your next paycheck, total up all of the taxes
deducted and divide those by your gross pay. This will give you a good idea of
your potential savings. If you spend $1000 out of pocket, you could be saving
$300-$400 a year in taxes. While you may change your deferral elections during
open enrollment or as the result of a family change in status, now is a good
time to consider elections for the coming school year. Look over the list of
acceptable items on the 125 plan offering, figure out your known needs, and
enroll in June. Remember, you must use the money or you will lose it. So, if
you are one of the 32 who are already enrolled, check you balance for this
semester.
------------------------------AXA EQUITABLE-----------------Did
you open a 403(b) TSA Plan yet to save for retirement?
Have you opened a 529 plan for your children’s
college?
Ask your colleagues about THE FINANCIAL PROFESSIONALS,
JOHN VITA and ASSOCIATES
(845)
452-5121
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