Benefits

Employees who work a regular schedule of 25 hours or more per week are eligible to participate in a medical health care plan offered through SCS. Each employee should review his or her own contract for eligibility. Those who have insurance through another carrier may opt to waive the medical health care plan. 

Employees who work a regular schedule of 25 hours or more per week are eligible to participate in dental, vision, short and long-term disability, critical illness, and voluntary life insurance.

Part-time employees who work less than the above hours per week are not eligible for health benefits.

Initial enrollment: Enrollment and changes must be completed within thirty (30) calendar days of hire or change of eligibility status.  Coverage becomes effective on the first day of the contract of employment in an eligible benefit status.  If an employee does not enroll within this 30 day time period, he/she will not be eligible to enroll in insurance plans until the next annual open enrollment period. Therefore, if an employee is interested in insurance coverage, he/she should take time to carefully review and promptly submit all employee benefits forms. 

Open enrollment: The Board provides an annual Open Enrollment period during which an employee may add, cancel, or change coverage.  If no action is taken by the employee to change coverage, benefits will not carryover for the next year.  Action at Open Enrollment is required.

SCS offers a health care plan through United Healthcare which includes major medical and office visit copays. SCS periodically reviews health care plan offerings and these may change from time to time. To obtain detailed information about available health insurance options, contact the Office Manager. The renewal date for health insurance is August 1st of each year. 

SCS pays $400/month for medical insurance premiums for eligible employees enrolled in their plan.  Employees are responsible for the remaining amount of the premium through a payroll deduction. Employee contributions towards health insurance premiums are made on a pre-tax basis in accordance with IRS regulations and therefore are not considered in calculating taxable income.

Dental, vision, short-term disability, critical illness, and voluntary life insurances are employee-paid and offered through Mutual of Omaha effective August 1, 2025.  Employees are responsible for these premiums through a payroll deduction. Employee contributions towards dental and vision insurance premiums are made on a pre-tax basis in accordance with IRS regulations and therefore are not considered in calculating taxable income.  All other employee contributions are made on a post-tax basis and are considered in calculating taxable income.

If an employee is eligible for health insurance coverage through SCS, but has alternative medical coverage (through a spouse’s coverage or other plan) which is not paid or sponsored by SCS, he/she may be eligible to sign a waiver of participation in the SCS plan. If alternative coverage is subsequently lost through no fault of the employee’s, he/she may elect to join one of the SCS plans during the next open enrollment period, or if due to a qualifying event, within 30 days of the loss of coverage. 

If employment should terminate or an employee otherwise becomes ineligible to participate in the group health insurance plan, he/she and/or his/her dependents have the right to continued participation in the SCS group health insurance plan for up to eighteen months (thirty-six months under certain circumstances) under federal COBRA legislation. The employee will be required to pay the full cost of the premium plus an administrative fee. Under COBRA continuation, SCS will no longer contribute to the cost of health insurance premiums. For additional information on this option, contact the United States Department of Labor. 

Insurance coverage ends the last day of the month in which an employee no longer meets eligibility requirements or terminates employment.

Social Security and Medicare 

SCS contributes to the Federal Social Security and Medicare system for all employees as required by law. 

Unemployment Compensation

Unemployment Compensation provides temporary income for those who have lost their jobs under certain conditions. For more information about Unemployment Compensation go to www.floridajobs.org/unemployment. 

Worker's Compensation

Workers’ Compensation is designed to provide benefits in the event that an individual is injured in connection with his or her employment. SCS Workers’ Compensation costs for employees are paid by SCS.  If an employee is injured, he/she should immediately notify the office manager and report the accident, no matter how minor it may seem.  An Accident Report form is available in the school’s main office. It should be completed by the employee and the employee’s supervisor. Additional information is posted in the staff lounge and at myfloridacfo.com. 

Staff may elect to participate in our 403(b) plan through Valic through pre-tax automatic payroll deductions.

Because of the diverse and relatively transient staff demographic at SCS, the school is not a participant in the Florida Retirement System. If you have vested with FRS or have any questions about your benefits, you should contact them directly. Employees have the right to participate in the SCS pre tax 403 (B) plan up to the maximum allowed by federal law and have AIG/Valic invest this money for them at a pretax rate. This must be determined within 30 days of signing the contract. Investment questions should be directed to the Office Manager or our company representative, Jenifer Bollinger, 701 Brickell Avenue, Suite 1950, Miami, FL 33131 Jenifer.Bollinger@corebridgefinancial.com (305) 817-2250 

Tuition Reimbursement program is aimed to give Sigsbee Charter School employees the opportunity to earn college degrees in their area of specialty. 

The purpose is to assist with payment of education expenses for eligible employees to sharpen their skills for a current or future job with Sigsbee Charter School. 

Requirements:

·     A regular full - time employee who has one or more years of continuous service in good standing with Sigsbee Charter School

·     Degree or course must be directly related to the School's needs to fill a teaching position

·     Approved coursework is exclusive to Associate's or Bachelor's Degree programs

·     Passing grade of "C" or better

·     Reimbursement for eligible expenses (tuition, books and supplies ), not to exceed $ 5,000 per fiscal year

·     Employee must remain employed with Sigsbee Charter School for at least 3 years after receiving reimbursement and maintain effective or highly effective rating each year.

Step 1: Apply for the tuition reimbursement program by filling out the application: Grow Our Own Application

Step 2: Apply to attend the college or university of your choice

Types of other financial aid may be available through FAFSA ( Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or College Educational scholarships. 

Please contact the Office Manager for any additional information.