Medicare Eligible Employees: What Arizona Public Sector Employers Need to Know

Medicare Eligible Employees: What Arizona Public Sector Employers Need to Know - Valley Schools

Many public sector employees are postponing retirement and working well beyond the traditional age of retirement (65). Even with the great resources available through the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS), the influx of information can be overwhelming for your employees as they approach retirement age and Medicare eligibility. As a result, they could be passing up a comprehensive health insurance … Read More

Arizona School District Conflict of Interest Statutes in Title 15

Arizona School District Conflict of Interest Statutes in Title 15 - Valley Schools

By Bill Munch, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB *This article has was previously published in The EDGE magazine, an AASBO publication. Arizona Revised Statutes 38-501 through 38-511 deal with “Conflict of Interest of Officers and Employees”. These statutes apply to ALL public employees including school district personnel. While it is important for school districts and their vendors to be aware of these … Read More

What to Look For in an Employee Benefits Consultant

What to Look For in an Employee Benefits Consultant - Arizona Public Sector Organizations - Valley Schools

Employee benefits, especially health and pharmacy, are confusing and costly. The complexity inherent in the system poses a challenge for your organization and for the employees who support your educational mission. The good news is, employee benefits provide great value to your operation that reaches far beyond financial concerns. With the right guidance, they can be hugely beneficial to your … Read More

Federal Procurement Compliance for Arizona School Districts

federal-procurement-compliance-for-arizona-school-districts-bill-munch-valley-schools

What’s Up with All These Federal Procurement Requirements for School Districts Anyway? By Bill Munch, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB *This article was previously published in The EDGE magazine, an AASBO publication. Before I start, I just wanted to briefly say how humbled I am to have been fortunate enough to be elected Vendor Representative on the AASBO Board.  I could not … Read More

Why Self-Funding Might Make Sense for Your Employer Organization

Is self-funding right for my organization? - Employee Benefits Consulting - Valley Schools Arizona

Self-funded insurance is becoming more popular with employers today—especially those operating in the public sector, as the benefits of self-funding many of the time outweigh the costs. Education is key! Only employers that have an experienced self-funding consultant in their corner are able to understand the financial benefits, realize the full potential, and reap the rewards of self-funding. Rewards include … Read More

Benefits Plan Changing? Here’s How To Prepare

Benefits Plan Changing? Here’s How To Prepare - Valley Schools - an Arizona nonprofit corporation

The one constant in life is change. Employee benefit plans are no different. Whether your employer is changing vendors or adding new plan benefits, it’s important to be prepared, ask the right questions and understand how the changes are going to affect you. Here are a few tips to help you prepare. Plan, Prepare and Do Your Research One of … Read More

Managing Employee Burnout and How To Avoid It

Avoid Employee Burnout - Public Sector Employees - Benefits Consulting - Valley Schools - Arizona

Cynical. Critical. Crabby. All are tell-tale signs of employee burnout and all are more common than you might think. According to Mayo Clinic, “job burnout is defined as a special type of work-related stress — a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.” The experts at Mayo add … Read More

3 Ways To Streamline Your Employee Benefits Education

Employee Benefits Education and Consulting - Arizona School Districts and Government Employees - Valley Schools

Open enrollment is likely happening now, or it’s right around the corner. Employers, as you help your employees through open enrollment, be sure to provide them with the information they need to make the best decision for themselves and their families. Here are a few ideas for you to help streamline communication to your employee about their benefits package. The … Read More

Make The Most Of The Next Open Enrollment Period

Open Enrollment Period 2021 - Employee Benefits - Valley Schools, Arizona

If you are an employee of a school district or municipality in Arizona, the window for open enrollment is fast approaching for you to choose your benefits package for the next plan year. Many public sector employers operate on a fiscal year, running from July 1 through June 30. However, the open enrollment period is typically held in the spring … Read More

Where To Start When Revisiting Your Employee Benefit Plans and Practices

Revisit your employee benefits plan - Valley Schools - Benefits Consulting in Arizona

Revisiting your employee benefit plans and practices should be a continual effort, not a once every 5-year endeavor. Employers who regularly review and optimize their employee benefit plans and practices throughout the year reap the rewards of increased employee appreciation, improved employee retention, greater productivity, and ultimately, a happier workforce. While staying abreast and ahead of industry and compliance changes … Read More