EMPLOYEE BENEFITS OVERVIEWOur employees are our most valuable asset in furthering our Mission of College for All Children. For this very reason, IDEA Public Schools is committed to offering a comprehensive employee benefits program that helps our employees stay healthy, feel secure, and maintain a work/life balance.

The information on this brochure relates to benefits, time off, retirement planning, supportive career environment, professional development and much more. We hope this information helps as you consider possible employment with IDEA. Please note that this is not an offer of employment, and is subject to change. Idea reserves the right to change any of the benefits offered to employees.

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MEDICAL BENEFITSIDEA Employees can elect medical benefits offered through the TRS Active Care system, with the option to choose among

three Aetna PPO plans, or two regional HMO plans: Scott and White HMO-Austin, or Allegian HMO-RGV.

RETIREMENT PLANNING• All IDEA Employees are automatically enrolled in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) and currently contribute

7.2% of their wages.

• IDEA Employees also have the option to enroll in a personal 403(b) retirement savings plan, and elect their deferral amount.

Health Reimbursement Arrangement AccountIDEA Employees enrolled in a TRS Active Care medical plan also automatically receives up to a $1,000 contribution into a Health

Reimbursement Account (HRA) to help with any out-of-pocket expenses related to medical, dental, and/or vision. Contributions are

pro-rated based on the time of the year an employee joins IDEA. A full contribution of $1,000 is given to employees who start

employment at the beginning of the plan year, September 1st, and thereafter contributions are made at a rate of $83.33/month

employed. This is essentially a pre-loaded debit card that can be used for anything from co-pays to new glasses to prescriptions.

Flexible Spending Account - This is a tax savings accountthat allows you to pay for eligible out-of-pocket medical, dental, and vision expenses with tax free dollars.

Dental - Provides benefits for preventive dental services, restorative care, periodontics, root canals, major services, and much more.

Vision - Provides benefits for eye exams, lenses, frames, and/or contacts.

Short Term Disability - Benefit pays 60% of weekly salary up to $2,700 per week after a 7 day waiting period.

Long Term Disability - Benefit pays 60% of monthly salary up to $15,000 per month after 90 day waiting period.

Cancer Insurance - Covers Radiation/Chemotherapy, New and Experimental Treatment, and comes with a Wellness Benefit.

Accident Insurance - Provides coverage for Emergency Accidents, Hospital Admission and comes with a Wellness Benefit.

Critical Illness plans - Pays a lump sum up to $10,000 for Heart Attack, Stroke, and other major illness. Universal Life with Long Term Care - Provides permanent life insurance coverage with long term care coverage. Total Benefits Solution - Provides three benefits in one: Doctor by Phone, Roadside Assistance and Identity Theft.

Supplemental BenefitsAn array of supplemental benefits paid for by the employee include:

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TIME OFF Holidays and Personal Days

IDEA gives 5 State Days and 5 Local Days annually to use for personal time off. Time off is allocated each year and rolls over from

year to year. Paid Holidays include Thanksgiving Break (5), Christmas Break (10), Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Spring Break (5),

Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day.

FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) This allows IDEA Employees who have completed at least one year of service and have worked at least 1,250 hours, to take unpaid

leave for up to 12 weeks within a year. Time off under FMLA benefit may include consecutive or intermittent days. Some examples of

how FMLA can be utilized include:

• Care of newborn, recently adopted child or foster-care child.

• Care for a serious health condition that makes you unable to perform your job

• Care for a serious health condition of your child, spouse, eligible domestic partner or parent (or other family members as required by state law)

• Care for a service member who is recovering from a serious illness or injury sustained in the line of duty who is a spouse or eligible domestic partner, child parent or nearest blood related.

ADDITIONAL REWARDS PROGRAMS • Recognition – IDEA hosts different events and awards assemblies throughout the year to recognize exceptional efforts or

results, including thank you e-cards, gift cards, core value awards and cash awards. Annual Perfomance Bonuses selectively

recognize qualified individuals for extraordinary achievements sustained over the majority of the year.

• Service Anniversary Awards – IDEA recognizes and celebrates those with Employees tenure with our organization by

awarding them with a compensation bonus on each 5 year milestone.

• Employee Referral Program – This program rewards IDEA Employees who refer qualified teacher candidates. If your referral

is hired and you both meet certain requirements, you may receive a cash award.

• Perkspot – This program is a one-stop-shop for exclusive discounts at some of your favorite national and local merchants.

If you need additional information regarding Employee Benefits, please contact our Human Resources department at IDEA Public Schools Headquarters at

956-377-8000 or email us at humanresources@ideapublicschools.org

SUPPORTIVE CAREER ENVIRONMENT• Onboarding – Provides a comprehensive introduction to IDEA

o Extensive orientation kit with related welcome support materials

o Classroom Training for Instructional Support Staff

o Communications to support onboarding

o Manager Onboarding to all new leaders

• Professional Development – IDEA is committed to providing you with the right learning, experiences, coaching and related

resoures to help you achieve your potential. IDEA will also give Employees days off for approved external job-related

education programs and trainings.

• Employee Assistance Program – IDEA has a free service to all IDEA Employees that offers a solution to help make

their busy lives easier. EAP can help you and your family members with confidential 24/7 consultation and referrals for family,

legal, mental health, relationship, work and conflict resolutions issues. In addition they offer guidance for managing life’s

transitions and much more.

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