Certified Staff

Summary of Benefits at Unalaska School

 

1.                  Teachers’ Retirement System - the retirement system for teachers in the State of Alaska is excellent.  It is one of the best teacher retirement systems in the nation.  The employee contributes 8.65% of their salary, which is not taxed until retirement, and the district contributes 12%.  It takes 8 years to vest in the system.  If the employee terminates employment prior to vesting, s/he may withdraw the amount contributed, but taxes must be paid at that time.  The IRS may also impose a penalty.

 

2.                  Health Insurance - the district’s health insurance carrier is Great West.  The insurance is very comprehensive; it covers the employee and all eligible dependents.  It includes dental, vision, audio, and chiropractic care.  The deductible is $100 per person, with a maximum family deductible of $300.  The coverage is 90% of the reasonable and customary charges of the first $2,950 annually, and 100% thereafter.   The coverage will start September 1^st, and will terminate the last day of the month when the employee terminates employment, usually May 31. 

 

3.                  Life Insurance - $5,000 of life insurance is provided through Great West Life Insurance Company.  Spouses are covered with $1,000 in life insurance and children over 3 are covered with $500 in life insurance. 

 

4.                  Medicare and Social Security - with the Teachers’ Retirement System, you do not pay social security taxes; only medicare is required.  The percentage that is deducted from your check is 1.45%. 

 

5.                  Travel to district - you will be reimbursed for either the entire amount, or a portion thereof, of your air or ferry travel from Anchorage to Dutch Harbor.  This does not cover travel for your dependents.  Please keep your receipts because you will be asked to produce a copy of them in order to be reimbursed.  If you are traveling via air, please contact the district office so we can make arrangements for you to use our contract airfare.  You will only be reimbursed for this lowest fare available.  If you opt to make your own arrangements and the fare is more expensive than the district’s fare, you will only be reimbursed for the portion that is equal to the district’s contract fare.

 

6.                  Physical - you are required by the State of Alaska to have a physician’s statement before you start working for the district.  You may obtain this statement from your regular physician, or you may have the examination performed at the clinic in Unalaska.  The district will only reimburse up to $75 and we require a receipt showing the total amount before reimbursement will be issued.  We have forms in the district office that must be filled out by the physician, so please obtain these forms before visiting your chosen care giver.