Salary / Benefits / Insurance
Salary Information
Ponder ISD pays above the state minimum salary schedule for classroom teachers, full-time librarians, and full-time counselors. Paychecks are distributed on the 15th day of each month beginning in September and are electronically deposited to your checking or savings account.
Medical Insurance
Ponder ISD is required by state law to participate in the TRS-Active Care medical insurance plan. This plan, administered through Blue Cross, provides three levels of benefits with varying costs. In an attempt to offset the out of pocket expense of insurance for employees, Ponder ISD has agreed to pay a higher percentage of the monthly premium ($325) than is required by the state. For the Health Insurance Marketplace Notice, click here (English / Spanish).
2024-2025 Benefits Open Enrollment is scheduled for July 8, 2024 through August 16, 2024.
Benefits HUB link: FBS Login
Health and Wellbeing: https://www.bcbstx.com/trsactivecare/health-and-wellbeing
Employee Assistance Program Information
Benefits, Claims, and Continuation of Coverage Assistance
Separation of Service at Retirement or Termination
For all other medical benefits, Ponder ISD uses a third party administrator - Financial Benefit Services, LLC
Primary or Primary Plus Plan Requirements:
Out of State Dependent Attestation-If you choose the Primary Plans for Medical Insurance -Required
Primary Care Physician-New Primary Plans Required
Payroll / Benefits Contact:
Payroll, Insurance, Benefits, and Leave
Contact Business Services, Phone: 940-479-8205
FBS Call Center: 866-914-5202 English or Spanish representatives are available to answer questions regarding benefits. Hours-Monday-Friday 8:00 AM -7:00 PM CST
TRS ActiveCare-Blue Cross Blue Shield Website
BCBS website
Flex spending is through National Benefits Services, click here to go to their site.
Worker's Compensation Insurance
Ponder ISD contracts with Texas Association of School Boards for their Worker's Compensation Insurance. TASB uses PSWCA as their provider of the insurance. Their website is www.pswca.org
What to do when you are injured on the job. If you are injured while on the job, tell your supervisor as soon as possible. A list of Alliance treating doctors in your service area may be available from your employer. A complete list of Alliance treating doctors is also available online at www.pswca.org. Or, you may contact us directly at the following address and/or toll-free telephone number: TASB Risk Management Fund P.O. Box 2010 Austin, TX 78768 800.482.7276
TRS Information/Updates:
New TRS Health App (Aetna)
Health Insurance Checklist-guide to selecting the appropriate plan
Imaging (MRI) Assistance USNI
TRS ActiveCare Website
State and Local Personal Leave
The State of Texas requires that all employees receive five days of paid personal leave per year which can accumulate and may be transferred to other Texas school districts. In addition to state leave, Ponder ISD provides three local paid personal leave days. Local personal leave days are allowed to accumulate for future years within the District, but are not transferable to other districts. Local personal days must be used prior to state leave. Upon retirement, Ponder ISD will buy back unsed days, see DEC(LOCAL) for more details.
Meals
The District will provide each staff member a free lunch at their campus' cafeteria during the regular school day.
Returning Incentive
Employees who remain with the District after their initial year of service receive a returning incentive. This is a lump sum payment for which TRS is not withheld. The amount of payment varies depending upon the role of employment and the number of continuous years of service within the district.
403(b)/457 Plans
Ponder ISD uses National Benefits Services (NBS) as their third party administrator. In order to establish a NEW 403(b)/457b and begin contributions follow the steps below:
Determine the company you would like to invest with. For a list of approved vendors, Click Here.
Contact the vendor of your choosing directly to obtain and submit all necessary paperwork to open the account.
Complete a Salary Reduction Agreement and submit to National Benefit Services via mail or fax.
Universal Availability Notice / Ponder ISD 403(b) Plan Highlights
NBS Retirement Plan
We are pleased to announce the 403(b) Retirement Plan as an added benefit to our employees. The 403(b) Retirement Plan acts very similar to a 401(k) Plan and provides several benefits, including:
Contributions to the plan are held in a governmental retirement account with tax benefits.
Money may be accessed for various reasons. See the attached notice for distribution reasons.
Contribution limits are much higher than the limits in IRAs.
More information on 403(b) Plans, including a list of Approved Vendors can be found here
We are excited to offer this valuable benefit to our employees. If you choose to utilize this offering, please complete the “Salary Reduction Agreement” form indicating how much you would like to contribute once you have established an account with a Vendor. After that, please return it to the address or fax # provided on the bottom of the form and they will take care of the rest.
Please review the link referenced above if you would like more information.