Insurance and Employee Benefits

Group health insurance coverage is available to employees who are regularly scheduled to work more than 20 hours per week. The District’s contribution to employee health insurance premiums is determined annually by the Board of Trustees. Only full-time employees (employees who are regularly scheduled to work 37.5 hours or more per week) are eligible to receive the District contribution to the employee’s health insurance premium.

Detailed descriptions of insurance coverage, prices, and eligibility requirements are provided to all employees upon employment and during the open enrollment period.

Questions or concerns may be directed to Gail Souders at 799-4963, Extension 6712.

The insurance plan year is from April 1 through March 31.   New employees must complete enrollment forms within the first thirty days of employment. Current employees can make changes in their insurance coverage during open enrollment, which is held during the month of February.  Employees should contact Gail Souders at 799-4963, Extension 6712 for more information.

Supplemental insurance benefits

At their own expense, employees can enroll in supplemental insurance programs for dental, disability, cancer and dread diseases, and life. Premiums for these programs can be paid by payroll deduction. Employees should contact Gail Souders at 799-4963, Extension 6712 for more information.

Cafeteria plan benefits (Section 125)

Employees may be eligible to participate in the Cafeteria Plan (Section 125) and, under IRS regulations, must either accept or reject this benefit. This plan enables eligible employees to pay certain insurance premiums on a pretax basis (i.e., health, disability, cancer and dread disease, dental, and term life insurance).

Workers’ compensation insurance

The District, in accordance with state law, provides workers’ compensation benefits to employees who suffer a work-related illness or are injured on the job. Benefits help pay for medical treatment and make up for part of the income lost while recovering.  Specific benefits are prescribed by law depending on the circumstances of each case.

All work-related accidents or injuries should be reported immediately to the employee’s immediate supervisor. Employees who are unable to work due to a work-related injury will be notified of their rights and responsibilities under the Texas Labor Code.

Unemployment compensation insurance

Employees who have been laid off or terminated through no fault of their own may be eligible for unemployment compensation benefits under the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act. Employees are not eligible to collect unemployment benefits during regularly scheduled breaks in the school year or the summer months if they have employment contracts or reasonable assurance of returning to service.  Employees with questions about unemployment benefits should contact the District's Personnel Office.

Teacher retirement

All personnel employed on a regular basis for at least one-half time of the normal work schedule are members of the Texas Teacher Retirement System (TRS).  Substitutes who work at least 90 days a year are also eligible for TRS membership and may purchase a year of creditable service. TRS provides members with an annual statement of their account showing all deposits and the total account balance for the year ending August 31, as well as an estimate of their retirement benefits.

Employees who plan to retire under TRS should notify Gail Souders at 799-4963, Extension 6712 as soon as possible. Additional inquiries should be addressed to: Teacher Retirement System of Texas, 1000 Red River Street, Austin, TX 78701-2698, or call 1-800-223-8778 or 512-397-6400.

Other benefit programs

Tax-sheltered annuities - Employees may choose to tax-shelter a portion of their paycheck for the purchase of annuities or for contributions to any type of investment as authorized in Section 403(b) of the IRS Code. For a listing of agents and products, call Gail Souders at 799-4963, Extension 6712.

Free athletic passes - District employees are admitted free to all home athletic events.

Employee assistance program -  Recognizing that employees run into a variety of personal concerns that have an effect on their work performance, La Vega I.S.D. has contracted with Lake Shore Center for Psychological Services to provide confidential counseling to District employees and their families. Each employee or a family member is eligible for a total of four free visits per year.  Lake Shore Center also accepts most insurance plans.  Employees enrolled in health plans do not begin to claim on their insurance until after the four free visits.  Appointments can be made by contacting Lake Shore Center for Psychological Services at 254-776-0400. Any employee must identify his/herself as an LVISD employee.  Lake Shore Center for Psychological Services, P.C. is located in the Woods Office Park at 4555 Lake Shore Drive.

Tuition-free attendance for children of employees -  Children of full-time nonresident District employees may attend La Vega ISD tuition-free. Students attending LVISD under this policy shall be withdrawn from the District to re-enrollment in their home District at the point of their entry into any LVISD Disciplinary Alternative Education Program, not including the local on-campus or in-school suspension. District policy FDA (Local) provides additional information on transfer students.