Human Resources

What is a 403(b)?
According to the IRS website, a 403(b) plan, also known as a tax-sheltered annuity plan, is a retirement plan for certain employees of public schools, employees of certain Code Section 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations and certain ministers. A 403(b) plan allows employees to contribute some of their salary to the plan. 

Who can participate in the 403(b)?
All Elkhart Community Schools employees are eligible to participate in the 403(b) plan.

What are the benefits of a 403(b) plan?
There are significant tax advantages for participants in a 403(b), including pre-tax contributions to a 403(b) plan and earnings on these amounts are not taxed until they are distributed from the plan.

Where can I learn more about the 403(b) plan offered through Elkhart Community Schools?
Visit the Staff section of our website to learn more about the 403(b) plan offered through Elkhart Community Schools.

Elkhart Community Schools will reimburse employees $50.00 per student enrolled in the Elkhart Community Schools, for textbook fees paid by the employee to Elkhart Community Schools for instructional materials. Evidence of payment shall be submitted to the Business Office by May 1, and the reimbursement will occur on or before June 15.

What is an Employee Assistance Program?
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a voluntary, work-based program that offers confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services to employees who have personal and/or work-related problems. EAPs address a broad and complex body of issues affecting mental and emotional well-being, such as alcohol and other substance abuse, stress, grief, family problems, and psychological disorders. 

What EAP benefits are offered at Elkhart Community Schools?
Through the New Avenues Employee Assistance Program, ECS employees and immediate family members may take advantage of confidential counseling services. To assist ECS employees and their immediate family members, Elkhart Community Schools has pre-paid for 4 face-to-face visits per family member per contract year. There are no additional costs to employees.

Are there online resources available through New Avenues?
Yes! New Avenues also offers a wealth of information online through their web site at www.NewAvenuesOnline.com. ECS employees will have access to online counseling through eSession CONNECT, read articles on family life, health and wellness, take free and confidential health assessments, access Web MD, download simple legal templates, make decisions with financial calculators, save household money through coupons on the consumer savings center – all at no cost to employees. 

To learn more about the EAP at Elkhart Community Schools, visit the Staff section of our website.

What is a Health Savings Account?
A Health Savings Account, or HSA, is a type of savings account that lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. By using untaxed dollars in a Health Savings Account to pay for deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and some other expenses, you may be able to lower your overall health care costs. 

What are the benefits of Elkhart Community Schools' Health Savings Account?
Aside from the benefit of contributing pre-tax funds for medical expenses, ECS also contributes up to $650 per year for employees who participate in our health insurance plan and use our on-site health clinic for an annual physical and goal setting. 

Depending on job classification, ECS employees are eligible to participate in one of two state-sponsored retirement funds: PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund) or TRF (Teachers' Retirement Fund). Both programs are managed by the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS), who serves the needs of approximately 467,000 members representing 1,273 employers including public universities, school corporations, municipalities, and state agencies across the state of Indiana. 

What is PERF?
The Public Employees' Retirement Fund (PERF) is a retirement plan established by the State of Indiana to provide retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for its participants. The district provides the value of 3% of an employee's income toward an employee's PERF every pay period. This money accrues until the employee retires.

What is TRF?
The Indiana State Teachers’ Retirement Fund (TRF) is a retirement plan option available through the Indiana Public Retirement System (INPRS) to faculty and professional staff employees who qualify for benefits. The district provides the value of 3% of an employee's income toward an employee's TRF every pay period. This money accrues until the employee retires.

How does INPRS calculate retirement benefits?
How much money an individual receives from the pension system largely rests on their average salary and how long they served as a public employee or teacher. Though every situation is different, the majority of individuals can estimate benefits by using this formula:

• Average Highest Five Years of Salary multiplied by Total Years of Service multiplied by 1.1%, then divided by 12 for a monthly total. For example, if an individual's highest average salary was $50,000 and they worked for 30 years, the monthly pension benefits would calculate to $1,375. 

When can a person receive PERF / TRF benefits?
An employee is fully vested in PERF / TRF after ten years of employment. In Indiana, you’re eligible for retirement if you meet any of the following qualifications:

• At age 65 with 10 years of service
• Between ages 60 and 64 with 15 years of service
• Between ages 55 and 59, if your age and service together totals 85

Where can I find more information about PERF and TRF?
A great resource for learning more about PERF and TRF is the INPRS website. The following link contains fact sheets for both programs? https://www.in.gov/inprs/publications/fact-sheets/

Elkhart Community Schools offers a comprehensive insurance package that includes medical insurance through Anthem and dental insurance through Delta Dental. The district also offers basic life/AD&D, disability, and voluntary life insurance options. 

Elkhart Community Schools provides 3 weeks of paid maternity leave for a vaginal birth and 4 weeks of paid maternity leave for a cesarean birth. This leave time shall be in addition to available illness absence days provided under this policy; it shall not, however, add to the duration of a traditional absence related to childbirth as determined by the treating physician.

What is the on-site health clinic?
As a service to ECS staff, the district partners with Everside Health, to offer an on-site employee health clinic. The clinic is managed by an independent outside entity, Everside Health, providing professional guidance and ensuring confidentiality, and is staffed by an experienced licensed, board-certified primary care physician. The on-site health clinic is located behind the Elkhart Area Career Center.

What services are offered at the on-site health clinic?
Everside Health provides:

• Broad scope of primary care services
• Comprehensive annual physicals
• Health coaching
• Select labs at low or no cost
• High-quality generic drugs at low or no cost when prescribed by a clinic provider

Who can use the on-site health clinic?
The clinic can be used by any ECS employee, spouse, or family member who is covered by the ECS health insurance plan. 

How much does it cost to use the on-site clinic?
Services provided by the on-site health clinic are low or no cost to employees. 

Do I have to use the on-site Everside location or can I use one that's closer to my home/work?
ECS employees can use any Everside facility to access care.

Elkhart Community Schools believes in the idea of "lifelong learning" not just for our students, but also for staff! The district offers paid professional development for teaching and support staff, ranging from curriculum development to social emotional learning. In 2022, every ECS employee completed Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP / research-based, instructional model that is highly effective in addressing the academic needs of English learners) professional development, as well as professional development in the field of Trauma-Informed Care.

To learn more about ECS' professional development programs and opportunities, visit: https://pd.elkhart.k12.in.us/

For employees who qualify, the district offers:

• Paid holidays
• Paid vacation
• Paid personal business days
• Paid personal sick time
• Paid family sick time