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News and information for staff members and the Madison community

Vol. I No. 2 - December 19, 2005

Employee Matters

Update your Address NOW for your 2005 W-2 Form

W-2 forms will be delivered in January 2006. If your payroll check is sent to your school, so will your W-2. If your payroll check is sent to your home, so will your W-2. It is your responsibility to make sure the District has the correct address for you. Reminder: There is a $10 fee to have a duplicate W-2 produced.

Address change cards are available in most school offices, in human resources, or the District web site at http://dww.madison.k12.wi.us/hr/forees/chngcard.htm

Benefits Calendar

• December 10 - Deadline for Custodian, SEE and Trades vacation carryover requests
• December 31 - Deadline for incurring claims in the 2005 Flexible Spending Accounts
• January 1  - 2006 elections begin for Health or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• January 15 - Deadline for Administrator's Retirement Notification
• February 1 - Deadline for Sabbatical leave requests for 1^st semester 06-07
• February 15 - Deadline for Teacher Retirement Notification
• April 15 - Non-Medical leave request deadline for 2006-2007 (MTI teacher CBA)
• April 23 - Final day to use Paid Personal Leave day (MTI teacher CBA)
• April 23 - Final day to use School Visitation day (MTI teacher CBA)

Retirement

If you are considering retiring this year or the end of this school year, please schedule an appointment with Sharon Hennessy in Benefits to discuss your retirement benefits with the District and complete the appropriate paperwork. Call 663-1795 or 663-1697.

Retirement deadlines
(retirement letter and forms received in human resources):
Administrators by January 15, 2005
Teachers by February 15, 2005
All others, no later than two weeks prior to retirement

Human Resources Holiday Hours

 Plan Ahead for Holiday Spending

The holiday season is fast approaching. It is a time for excess - when diets, budgets and just about every other form of self-restraint go out the window. Swipe that little plastic card once too often, and you could end up in serious debt by the time January rolls around.  Dollars and sense are often in conflict - particularly during the holidays. Here are some ways to practice safe spending:

1. Make a budget and stick to it. You need to create a detailed budget. Take a hard look at last year's expenditures, and plan your party, gift-giving and decorating costs accordingly.
2. Make a list of appropriate gifts and, in each case, suitable alternatives. If you can't find a blue cruise wear shirt for Tommy, a pair of navy men's shorts won't bust your budget, either.
3. Throughout the year set aside a nest egg, for holiday shopping. Use direct deposit from your payroll and put the money in an interest-bearing savings account. Use this money in lieu of running up credit card interest, ATM fees and limit your spending.
4. Shop around and plan ahead. If you give yourself a year to shop, you can find the time to compare prices and merchandise. Begin your shopping the day after Christmas. That's when gift wrap, greeting cards and luxury tinned foods go on sale. Reserve a corner of the closet or attic for next year's supplies.
5. Buy one present for him and her. For the couples on your list assemble gift packages that both people will enjoy.
6. To shorten the gift-giving ritual, some extended families now hold a kind of lottery. Around September/October, you get to draw straws, pick a name out of a hat or roll the dice to find out which relative to add to your shopping list. Obviously, this isn't a unilateral decision, and you'll need to get your own family to buy into this plan.
7. Look for golden oldies. Aside from pricey antiques, have you ever thought of buying used gifts? It's all a matter of definition, once someone tries something on in a department store, it's 'used,' and once you wash a new item of clothing it's also used.
8. It's the thought that counts - but do think twice. A week's worth of dog-walking, a set of baby-sitting IOUs, a basket of homemade pies and jellies are always much-appreciated gifts. However, the personal touch is not for everyone - and that is the giver as well as the receiver.
9. Repair the damage of the past. If you're still paying the bills from previous years' merrymaking, here is the perfect gift to give yourself: a leg up on your financial future. If you haven't already done so, buy a copy of one of the leading personal finance software packages. Either Intuit's Quicken or MS Money will work - and each program has its fans.

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Last Updated: Tue Mar 28 12:17:36 2006
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