AUGUST 2005

Rule Impacts Accounting for Retiree Benefits
      New accounting rules from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) will change the way the District accounts for retiree health care and other benefits. These changes will impact District budgets and future retiree benefits. The following Q&A is provided to help employees better understand the issue and where the District is in the process of addressing the situation.

• What is GASB? GASB is a national organization that establishes accounting standards for governments and public organizations such as school districts. Federal and state laws require governments to follow GASB standards.
• What is GASB 45? In August 2004, GASB issued Statement No. 45, Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers for Post-Employment Benefits Other Than Pensions. Under the GASB 45 standard, retiree health care and other non-pension benefits for retirees must be paid for as the benefit is earned (similar to pension benefits) rather than on a “pay-as-you-go” basis, as is currently the case. GASB 45 requires the District to actuarially estimate the future cost of non-pension benefits for retirees and then calculate a yearly expense to be shown on the budget. Jordan School District must implement these rules by July 1, 2007.
• What benefits does GASB 45 affect? The GASB 45 standard applies to non-pension retiree benefits. Jordan School District’s non-pension benefits include items such as health insurance, life insurance and early retirement incentives. The rule does not deal directly with current benefits for active employees.
• How will GASB 45 impact the District? Because the District will be required to simultaneously fund future benefit payments and current benefit payments for retirees, the cost to provide these benefits will increase substantially. Some organizations are estimating the expense is likely three- to four-times the current pay-as-you-go cost. An actuarial study estimates Jordan District liability in excess of $250 million. The study estimates it would take $16 million per year for the next 30 years to meet current obligations under new GASB rules. In addition, health care costs are increasing about 10 percent annually, creating a difficult funding situation.
• How is Jordan School District addressing the issue? Nothing has currently been decided about retiree benefits except GASB 45 represents a big enough issue that it must be addressed now. Because of the concern about the District’s ability to pay for current as well as future retiree costs, the District is organizing a GASB Advisory Task Force consisting of District employees. The Task Force will be asked to identify strategies for addressing the issues surrounding the GASB 45 standard. It is anticipated the Task Force will make recommendations to the Board of Education around January 2006. More information will be forthcoming as the Task Force is selected and the work begins.

Lunch Prices Increase
      As part of the District’s 2005-06 budget, the Board of Education voted to increase lunch prices by 15 cents per lunch. The new prices are $1.50 for elementary, $1.75 for secondary and $2.50 for adult. Reduced-price lunches and breakfast prices did not change. The increase was necessary to keep up with rising food and salary costs. District lunch prices were last increased in 2000-01.

Library Grant/Volunteer Awards
      Maxine Beckstead, second-grade teacher at Quail Hollow Elementary, Sandy, received a $3,300 grant from the 100% For Kids Foundation. The grant will be used to begin a take-home library for third-grade students. Also, 15 school volunteers received the President's Volunteer Service Award during Quail Hollow’s Back-to-School Night. President George W. Bush signed a letter of congratulations and provided a pin for each volunteer, who received a gold, silver or bronze award based on hours of service for the school year.

Students at Monte Vista Elementary enjoy new playground equipment.

New Playground Equipment
      Monte Vista Elementary, South Jordan, recently unveiled new playground equipment. According to Principal Kathy Anderson, many more students are involved in physical exercise and healthy lifestyle choices because of the additional equipment.

Sign-Language Interpreters Needed
      The Jordan Resource Center, Midvale, is in need of individuals who have sign-language interpretive skills (more than finger spelling) who can substitute for District sign-language interpreters as needed. Anyone interested should contact Kerry Heywood, Jordan Resource Center, (801) 565-7186.

Electric Kiln Needed
      Valley High School, Sandy, is in need of an electric kiln with a cone temperature between five and 10. If your school has one it is no longer using please contact Valley High, (801) 572-7035.

Seeking Adults Who Can’t Read
      Teachers, do you have parents who just glance at the papers you give them? Do you get the impression they are waiting for you to tell them what is written down, or they tell you they did not bring their glasses with them? Do you get notes from parents with misspelled words? These parents may need help improving their reading and writing skills. The Literacy Action Center teaches English-speaking adults who have less than fourth-grade literacy skills to read and write. Since 1984, the Literacy Action Center has helped more than 2,200 English-speaking adults become readers. They are the only adult literacy organization in Salt Lake County that works with these English-speaking adults. If you suspect an adult needs literacy help, call the Literacy Action Center, (801) 265-9081.

Time to Update Your Web Profile
      Attention department directors and principals. When is the last time your department or school profile was updated on the District Web site at www.jordandistrict.org? If it has been a while, chances are your page may have information, names or forms that are not correct for the 2005-06 school year.

      The Office of Communications needs your help to keep the District Web site current. It only takes a few minutes to review your page and send us the changes. Here is the step-by-step process:

• Go to www.jordandistrict.org.
• Select your department or school page.
• Browse your page(s) and make sure all the information is correct, including staff names, forms and information.
• If all the content on your page is current, you’re all finished. If not, we need you to provide us current information.
• You can update your page via paper or e-mail.
• If you prefer to make changes by paper, print out a copy of your page and make the changes. Mail or fax changes to Office of Communications, District Office, fax (801) 567-8030.
• If you prefer to make changes via e-mail, copy the text from your department page into an e-mail message, make the changes, and send them to chad.margettsjordan.k12.ut.us.

     If you have any questions or if you see anything on the District Web site that is not current or correct, please contact Chad Margetts, Web manager, (801) 567-8201.

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Honored Alumnus
      The BYU Alumni Association selected Superintendent Barry L. Newbold as the 2005 Honored Alumnus for the David O. McKay School of Education. As a College Honored Alumni Award recipient, Superintendent Newbold will present a college lecture and will be recognized at the Homecoming Spectacular in the Marriott Center Oct. 14 and 15.

Fellowship Awarded
      Lynette Lake, teacher at Brighton High, was awarded a James Madison Fellowship by the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Foundation. The fellowship will fund up to $24,000 of Lake’s course of study towards a masters degree. A total of 47 fellowships were awarded in 2005.

Photography Showcase
      Students in Kristine Lindorff’s AP photography class at Riverton High are showing their work Aug. 19 during a Gallery Stroll 6-9 p.m. at The Art Is In, 511 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City. The work was submitted for the students’ AP portfolios. Several images won awards from the AP judges.

Surgical Tech Program
      This year, students at the Jordan Applied Technology Center (JATC) participate in a very rigorous course schedule that prepares them to complete their state certification as a surgical technologist the summer after graduating from high school. Part of the certification is working in a hospital operating room as an intern and gaining the skills necessary to become a surgical technologist. The JATC, West Jordan Campus, constructed surgical suits that mimic those in a real operating room so students will be prepared to immediately enter the work force. Jordan School District is the only district in the nation to host a school surgical tech program.

Sign-Language Interpreters Needed
      The Jordan Resource Center is in need of individuals who have sign-language interpretive skills (more than finger spelling) who can substitute for District sign-language interpreters as needed. Anyone interested should contact Kerry Heywood, Jordan Resource Center, (801) 565-7186.

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District Calendar
      View the District Calendar at www.jordandistrict.org/calendar

Employment Opportunities
      See current job openings posted by the Human Resources Department at www.jordandistrict.org/hr

ARCHIVED NEWS

To submit an item for Current, send an e-mail to Michael Kelley at michael.kelley@jordan.k12.ut.us or contact him at (801) 567-8337.