January 14, 2011                                                            ebulletinboard Archive

To help keep you informed about events, workshops and other matters of interest, ebulletinboard will be e-mailed on pay dates (August 13, 2010 - May 27, 2011) to all employees.  Principals and other location supervisors should post one copy for employees who do not have e-mail.  Editions are archived for reference.

EVENTS/WORKSHOPS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Leave of Absence Information Session - A Leave of Absence information session will be held Thursday, January 27, 2011 at 4:30 pm in the Board Room at the Central Office.  The Benefits, Human Resource, and Payroll Departments will provide helpful information to any employee who is anticipating the need to apply for a Leave of Absence.  Employees who plan to attend may register on the Professional Development Portal.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Lynn P. Gibbs, Human Resources, 355-3981.

AWARDS/APPLICATIONS/CONTESTS/GRANTS

NONE

PARTNERSHIPS

NONE

NOTICES/REQUESTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

January 14, 2011 Paycheck - Payroll deduction changes for annual enrollment elections start with the January 14, 2011 paycheck.  Also, the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010 reduced the Social Security (FICA) tax withholding rate from 6.2% to 4.2% of wages paid.  The reduced rate begins with the January 14, 2011 paycheck.  The reduced Social Security withholding has no effect on the employee’s future Social Security benefits.  All employees should review their online check stub.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Benefits 355-1188, or Payroll: 355-0920, as necessary.

Expiration of Making Work Pay Tax Credit - In February 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provided for the Making Work Pay Credit – an income tax credit of $400 for single individuals and $800 for married couples filing jointly – that was paid out through reduced federal income tax withholding for 2009 and 2010.  The MWP credit expired on December 31, 2010, and the tax tables for 2011 reflect that expiration with a slight increase in withholding.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Payroll: 355-0920.

W2’s - In compliance with IRS regulations, W2’s will be distributed no later than January 31, 2011.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Payroll, 355-0920.

Makeup Days - School will be held on the three makeup days that are built into the 2010-11 school calendar.  Dates are: Friday, April 1 – Makeup Day #1; Monday, April 4 – Makeup Day #2; and Thursday, June 2 – Makeup Day #3.  Discussions will be held with principals to determine when the remaining two missed days will be made up.  Plans will be impacted if we have additional missed days during the remainder of the school year.  Audience: All Employees.  Contact: Your Supervisor.

EMPLOYEE DISCOUNTS

ALL EMPLOYEES

Imagine Center Fitness Facility – GCS employees are invited to join the Imagine Center Fitness Facility (located off Haywood Rd. behind City Range and Babies R Us) for either one or two year agreement for $25/month with no enrollment fee and one free consultation with personal trainer. Additional household family members can also join for $15/month.  Two-year memberships will get three free months (27 months for cost of 24). The facility has three basketball courts, indoor track, women’s only area, cardio and weights, free childcare, and group fitness classes. Facility is open 24 hours beginning at 5 am Monday through 11 pm Friday; 6 am-10 pm Sat/Sun.  Contact: Jillian Wells, Imagine Center Fitness, 864-918-7274.

R & A Tax Service – R & A Tax Service is offering a 25% discount for all GCS employees. The discount will be active throughout the year. Contact: Rick Curtis, www.rataxservice.com, or 864-704-4164.

MISCELLANEOUS

ALL EMPLOYEES

The Schools Channel (Charter Channel 99, 24 hours a day, and Channel 14, 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m. daily) – Click HERE to learn more about the Schools Channel programs and TV schedule.

Employment Opportunities – Click HERE for our web-site link to GCS Employment Opportunities.

CALENDAR (IMPORTANT DATES REMEMBER)

January 2011—School Board Recognition Month

Friday, January 14—Professional Development Workday— Revised to provide an additional Exchange Day option; Teachers have four dates to take two exchange days

Monday, January 17—Martin Luther King Day Holiday (12-Month Employee Holiday)

January 19-20 - 5K and First Grade Registration (Rescheduled due to Inclement Weather)

Friday, January 21 — End 2nd Quarter Grading Period (Rescheduled due to Inclement Weather)

Monday, January 24—Second Semester Begins (Rescheduled due to Inclement Weather)

Tuesday, January 25—Grades Must be entered by 5:00 p.m. (Rescheduled due to Inclement Weather)

Wednesday afternoon, January 26—Schools can begin processing and printing Report cards. (Rescheduled due to Inclement Weather)

Monday, January 31—Report Cards should be distributed. (Rescheduled due to Inclement Weather)