A. Recommendations from the joint PGCEA/PGCPS Tuition Reimbursement Task Force shall be given primary consideration for changes to the tuition reimbursement program.

B. Funding for the Tuition Reimbursement Program shall be:

1. $4,000,000 in FY 23
2. $4,000,000 in FY 24
3. $4,000,000 in FY 25

C. Unit members shall be reimbursed up to $550 per credit for up to nine (9) credits per contract year. Reimbursements will be established on a first come, first served basis subject to budgeted allocations and shall apply to the following:

1. Any course to maintain a valid teaching certificate.
2. Any advanced degree or certification in the unit members’ field, current assignment, or a future certification.
3. An advanced degree in education.
4. An area of special need to the school system.
5. Any courses taken for professional growth and contribution to the school system.
6. Unit I members shall be eligible for up to 39 credit hours of tuition reimbursement in total during service with PGCPS.

Application for reimbursement will be accepted three times throughout the fiscal year. Only courses completed during the specified dates will be accepted during the appropriate submission dates. Requests received prior to the designated beginning date will be automatically denied. Any funds remaining at the end of the third submission/disbursement period will be divided equally for disbursement to applicants originally denied during the first and second periods based on first come first served basis so long as the applications were submitted prior to the original deadlines.

The timeline for submission will be determined by the joint PCGEA-PGCPS Tuition Rebursement Taskforce.

The Board of Education shall continue to use its best efforts to provide workshops whereby a Unit 1 member can receive credit toward an Advanced Professional Certificate. PGCEA may submit to the Board of Education requests for PGCEA to conduct specified workshops for state approved credit. The request must include a detailed content description of what will be offered. If approved by the Board of Education and the State Board of Education, the workshop will be offered. If approved, the workshop will be offered, provided that there is no cost to the Board of Education.

D. From time to time, the Board may offer to Unit I Members particular training or certification program (e.g. Reading Recovery, Montessori etc.) at no out of pocket cost to the Unit I Member.

When those opportunities are offered, the Board of Education may, in consultation with PGCEA, require that participating Unit I members reimburse the Board of Education for expenses paid for the program, in the event said member fails to successfully complete the program or fails to remain an employee of PGCPS for the period of time after completing the program as specified by the Board of Education in its announcement of the program.

In the event that a Unit I member becomes obligated to reimburse the Board of Education for such expenses; the Board of Education is authorized to deduct the amount due from the Unit I member’s payroll check(s) on a prorated basis and after the Unit I member has been notified of such deduction.

PGCEA will receive prior notification about any programs established under this section and will have input into the reimbursement parameters.

All Unit I members will have free term life insurance. The amount of an individual’s insurance will be two (2) times the annual salary rounded to the next highest $1,000.

21.3 MEDICAL CARE PROGRAM

A. The Board of Education shall implement a Medical Care Program for eligible Unit I members and their eligible dependents.

B. The Board of Education shall pay 75% for the first eight (8) years of employment and 80% thereafter of the cost of the premiums for the Medical Care Program.

C. Unit I employee premiums and co-pays shall not increase prior to explanation and notification to PGCEA.

D. Plan design changes to insurance benefits will not be instituted without discussion and consideration of recommendations by the joint PGCPS/Labor Partners Insurance Council.

21.4 HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS

The Board of Education agrees to pay a sum equal to the same dollar amount provided under the Medical Care Program described in Section 21.3 above for all unit members enrolled in a Board of Education qualified prepaid health maintenance organization.

21.5 DENTAL INSURANCE PROGRAM

The Board of Education shall provide a Dental Insurance Program for eligible Unit I members and their eligible dependents. The Board of Education shall pay 75% for the first eight (8) years of employment and 80% thereafter of the cost of the premiums for the Dental Insurance Program.

21.6 OPTICAL CARE PROGRAM

A. The Board of Education shall provide an optional Optical Care Program for eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

B. The Board of Education shall pay 75% for the first eight (8) years of employment and 80% thereafter of the cost of the premiums for the Optical Care Program.

21.7 PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION INSURANCE PROGRAM

A. The Board of Education shall provide an optional Prescription Medication Insurance Program for eligible employees and their eligible dependents.

B. The Board of Education shall pay 75% for the first eight (8) years of employment and 80% thereafter of the cost of the premiums for the Prescription Medication Insurance Program.

21.8 ELIGIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEE INSURANCE BENEFITS

A. No Unit I member shall be entitled to any of the insurance benefits described in Sections 21.3, 21.4, 21.5, 21.6, and 21.7 unless such Unit I member is on an annual salary, works at least fifteen (15) hours per week and is a member of the appropriate employee Retirement System.

B. Any Unit I member eligible for insurance benefits as set forth, but employed for less than a full time (37 1/2 hours per week) basis shall receive as benefits only such prorated share of the Board of Education’s contribution toward insurance premiums, as such share shall be reflective of the percentage of full time employment.

C. Section 21.8B shall be applicable only to those persons employed July 1, 1979, or thereafter.

The Board of Education shall provide that whenever duly authorized in writing by any Unit I member payroll deductions on behalf of such Unit I member shall be made. Payroll deductions other than those required by law will need written annual authorization filed at the Board of Education office.

A. The Board of Education shall provide payroll deductions for, but not limited to:

Unified membership dues
Educational Systems Employees Federal Credit Union.
Tax Sheltered Annuities (including Mutual Funds)
Group Insurance to include health, medical and life.
U.S. Savings Bonds.
United Way
Virginia and D.C. State and/or local income taxes for Unit I member will be deducted.
PGCEA sponsored Disability Insurance Plan.
Voluntary political contributions.
PGCEA Foundation.

B. Deductions beyond those stipulated in Section 6.09A shall be pursuant to law or authorized by PGCEA, or at the discretion of the Board of Education.

A Unit I member who has successfully completed and attained NBTS certifications shall receive:

A. Unit I employees who qualify based upon Maryland State Department of Education’s standards of definitions of “Teacher,” “Certified,” “Primarily Responsible and Accountable,” “Working Time,” “Teaching Time” and “Percent of Time Teaching” shall receive a salary increase of $13,000 annually effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.

B. The Board of Education shall reimburse the Unit I member for up to one (1) of the NBPTS application and/or testing fee up to $450.

C. Unit I employees who qualify in Section 21.15 A above, and who are assigned and serve in schools identified as “Low Performing Schools,” will receive an additional $9,000 annually while serving in such identified schools effective July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2025.

D. Unit I employees who have attained NBPTS or national certifications in other subjects or disciplines who DO NOT meet the standards specified in Section 21.15 A above shall receive a salary increase of $4000 annually effective July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025.