Information / Resources

Employee Portal

Did you know you can see and print your past paystubs and W-2s from the Employee Portal? You can also calculate the effect of changes to your pay such as raises or contributions to supplemental retirement plans.

Click here to learn more.

It's Never Too Soon To Start Planning For An Early Retirement (Click here to learn more)

It's never too soon to start planning for an Early Retirement

Did you know that for every $100 you put in a 403(b) retirement plan, you actually only see about an $80 difference in your check? That is like getting an extra $20 in savings! This is because the money is tax deferred (taken out before taxes are calculated). You are allowed to defer up to $19,500 income per year; $26,000 if you are age 50 or above.

So why do YOU need to save if you have CalPERS or CalSTRS? Your pension may only cover 50-60% of your monthly income needs. By contributing to a 403(b) now, you are paying less payroll taxes, earning interest on your money, and if you don’t see it you won’t spend it.

According to money.cnn you should be saving 10-15% of your income for retirement. In addition, here is an example of how starting early can make a big difference. Say you start at age 20, and put aside $3,000 a year ($250/month) in a tax-deferred retirement account for 10 years - and then you stop saving - completely. By the time you reach 60, your $30,000 investment will have grown to more than $338,000, (assuming a 7% annual return), even though you didn't contribute a dime beyond age 30.

Now let's say you put off saving until you turn 35, and then save $3,000 a year for 30 years. By the time you reach 65, you will have set aside $90,000 of your own money, but it will grow to only about $303,000, assuming the same 7% annual return. That's a huge difference. If you cannot afford $250-300/month, consider starting with a smaller amount and increasing the amount each time you get a raise.

CalPERS and CalSTRS both have a Retirement Estimate Calculator that can help determine how much you will need to save for retirement. Your Escape Employee Portal has a Paycheck Calculator that allows you to see how much your take home pay will be if you withhold $100, $200, $300, $500, or the max $2,166 per month. (The information needed can be found on your end-of-month pay stub.)

Improve Your Opportunities for Employment/Advancement (Click here for more information)

Improve Your Opportunities for Employment/Advancement

There are plenty of websites out there that provide guides and tips for creating a cover letter (letter of introduction) and resume. Here are links to just such a site:

Cover Letter Tips

Resume Writing Guide

You can also use the templates in Word by clicking New from the File menu. Type Resumes and Cover Letters in the Search field for online templates.

Which ever option you choose, make sure you (and a friend or supervisor) proof read your documents before submitting them.

To assist those you are asking for letters of recommendation, here is a template you can use: Letters of Recommendation Prep. It is also helpful to provide them with a copy of your resume and the job description of the position for which you are applying.

For additional tips see Tried and True Ways to Make Moves in Your Career and Interview Tips: Presenting Yourself, Performance & Fashion - Trans4mind

Professional Development Opportunities (click here)

If you are looking for Professional Growth opportunities, here are a couple of resources:

All Staff:

Keenan & Associates Safe Schools Training offers training in a multitude of areas including: Special Education, Environmental Safety, Human Resources, Information Technology, and dealing with difficult students/people.
National Education Association (NEA) Micro-Credentials offers credentialing in all areas of classified services.
Tools for Interpreters Webinar Series 2020 accelerated the move to remote interpreting and changed many protocols for onsite assignments,
requiring new skills from interpreters in order to manage each interpreting encounter. This webinar series
highlights useful tools for language professionals navigating remote and onsite interpreting sessions.
We hope you enjoy this FREE webinar series, delivered by experts from the fields of conference, legal,
community and medical interpreting.
Certificates are only issued to attendees of the live sessions

Instructional Support Staff:

Google for Education offers training integrating Google platforms into instruction.
Paraeducator Online Training offers self-paced online training and assessment programs for Paraeducators.

Office/Clerical:

G Suite Learning Center offers training in all Google products including: Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Meets, Forms and much, much more.
Frontline Campus Users
Escape/Frontline Training
Upcoming Certifications

Accounts Payable Certification Aug 24-27

Revised Budget Certification Sept 21-24

Upcoming Training

Escape Basics Workshop Sept 16

Special Education Instructional Support Staff (or anyone who works with SpEd students):

Autism Focused Intervention Resources & Modules (AFIRM) offers continuing education units through a step-by-step process of planning for, using, and monitoring an evidence-based practice with learners with ASD from birth to 22 years of age.
Autism Internet Modules (AIM) offers Professional Development Certificates through participation and completion of modules.

These trainings do not offer certification, but will help strengthen skills.

Office/Clerical:
- Escape Technology Training Videos
Spanish:
- https://www.rosettastone.com/freeforstudents/
English Classes:
- www.usalearners.org

Click Here for Financial Aid and Scholarship Information

What are Sources of Financial Aid for Professional Growth/Higher Education?

Teachcalifornia.org offers great suggestions for Financial Aid.

Another great resource for Scholarships and Financial Aid is FinAid.org, The SmartStudent^TM Guide to Financial Aid.

If you are a member of CSEA, don't forget their Education Services, including No-Cost Associates Degree and Low-Cost Bachelor's Degree programs as well as scholarships and grants.

CASBO 2021 Bob Reeves Scholarship
Are you looking for a little financial help to accelerate your school business career this year? Plan on applying for one of CASBOs Robert "Bob" Reeves Scholarships to take the first step!

High School Diploma or Equivalency Options (Click to expand)

Ukiah Adult School General Education Development (GED) Testing.

The GED certificate is accepted almost everywhere in place of a high school diploma.

Mendocino College High School Equivalency Program (HEP)

The High School Equivalency Program (HEP) provides a unique educational experience for students who did not graduate from high school. HEP is a federally funded program for migrant and seasonal workers.

For further information about the HEP program, please call the HEP office at 467-1026 or come by room 6650 in Mendocino College, Ukiah Campus.

El Programa Equivalente a la Preparatoria (HEP) de Mendocino College ofrece una excelente oportunidad a los residentes de los condados de Mendocino y Lake que no se graduaron de la preparatoria o high school, para que estudien y puedan obtener su certificado equivalente a la preparatoria. HEP es un programa del gobierno federal para las personas que trabajan o han trabajado en la agricultura temporal o migratoria. Les provee a los estudiantes el conocimiento necesario para aprobar los exámenes para obtener su certificado de la preparatoria.

Para obtener más información acerca del programa de HEP, llámenos al (707) 467-1026 o venga a la oficina 6650 en Mendocino College, Ukiah.

Click here to see why We Love Our Classified Staff!!!

P.C. Office Happenings (click here to expand)

Personnel Commission Meeting Calendars (Click Here)