BCOE - HR FAQs

HR FAQs

Q: What is needed to be a High School Tutor?

A: Work Permit from your High School; I-9 Information (Social Security Card & ID student card or drivers license); application packet.

Q: Where can I go to get my TB done and do I have to pay for it?

A: In Butte County, please contact HR to obtain a TB form which can be taken to the health department in Chico or Oroville. Employees located out of the area can obtain a TB test at their local medical clinic and send in paperwork for reimbursement (original signatures and receipts required for reimbursement).

Q: I haven't received my Blue Cross card yet and I need to go to the doctor. Who should I contact?

A: You can contact Debbie Haggard - Human Resource Generalist at 530-532-5765 or email your request to dhaggard@bcoe.org

Q: Where can I see what positions are available?

A: We have all of our open positions listed online at www.edjoin.org - keyword "Butte County". You can view the job descriptions and even apply online.

Payroll

Q: Why was my check less money?

A: You may have taken more vacation/sick leave than was available to you. Also, if you received more than one paycheck in the month, each paycheck will be calculated at a higher tax rate.

Q: Why didn't my paycheck go into my bank account?

A: Your first month will be a test only. You will receive a paper check, no monies will be electronically deposited. If the test is successful, your salary will be electronically deposited on the second month.

Credentials

Q: How and when do I renew my credential(s)?

A: All Clear and Professional credentials must be renewed online by following the instructions on the Commission on Teacher Credentials (CTC) web site. The fee for each renewed document is $102.50 and is payable only by credit or debit cards with a Visa or MasterCard logo. Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permits and some Child Development Permits are eligible for online renewal as well, however, the Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers, the Child Development Associate Teacher, and all Preliminary credentials are not renewable through the online process. Please contact the Credentials staff for further information regarding the renewal of these types of documents. The CTC website has helpful tips on navigating through their system - please read through them before you get started to ensure a trouble-free online experience. For your convenience, a computer kiosk in the BCOE HR office is available by appointment only should you need it. Contact the Credentials office to schedule an appointment.

Please remember that online renewal must take place prior to the expiration date of the document to be renewed. The BCOE Credentials Office recommends that all online renewals take place at least three months prior to expiration. In the event that your credential/permit has already expired or the Commission's website won't allow you to renew online, please contact the Credentials Office for further instruction.

Q: How can I obtain a substitute permit?

A: Individuals who do not hold an appropriate substitute teaching authorization may apply for a substitute permit. Two types of permits are available depending on whether or not you hold a Bachelor's degree:

The Emergency 30-Day Substitute Teaching Permit

The requirements for this permit are as follows: (1) verification of a baccalaureate or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university; (2) verification of meeting the basic skills requirement; and (3) verification of fingerprint clearance with the CTC through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The Emergency Substitute Teaching Permit for Prospective Teachers

The requirements for this permit are as follows: (1) completion of a minimum of 90 semester units of course work from a regionally accredited college or university; (2) verification of current enrollment in a regionally accredited four-year California institution; (3) verification of meeting the basic skills requirement; and (4) verification of fingerprint clearance with the CTC through the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Application for either type of permit is by appointment ONLY. We are unable to accommodate walk-ins so please call for an appointment. We can usually schedule you within the week that you call.

Please see the Credentials webpage for more information.

Q: What is needed to qualify for a Preliminary Designated Subjects Career Technical Education (CTE) Credential?

A: High School Diploma or equivalency; three years of work experience directly related to each industry sector to be named on the credential, including one year of "recency"; Fingerprints for the CTC; current CTC fee; CTC application forms.

An application for this type of credential cannot be sent directly to CTC - it requires processing through an Approved Program Sponsor. Approved Program Sponsors will require additional paperwork and fees. More information can be obtained from the CTC's informational leaflet CL-888 (http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl888.pdf). BCOE is no longer an Approved Program Sponsor. Please note that within three years of obtaining the initial Preliminary Credential, additional requirements will need to be satisfied to qualify for the Clear credential.

Q: What is needed to qualify for a Preliminary Designated Subjects Adult Credential?

A: High School Diploma or equivalency; three years of experience and/or education in the each subject to be named on the credential; Fingerprints for the CTC; current CTC fee; CTC application forms. For academic subjects, additional requirements are: Bachelor's degree and completion of 20 semester units of coursework in the subject(s) to be named on the credential (specific units will be required for certain subjects) and passage of an acceptable basic skills exam such as CBEST (http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl667.pdf).

An application for this type of credential cannot be sent directly to CTC - it requires processing through an Approved Program Sponsor. Approved Program Sponsors will require additional paperwork and fees. More information can be obtained from the CTC's informational leaflet CL-697b (http://www.ctc.ca.gov/credentials/leaflets/cl697b.pdf). BCOE is no longer an Approved Program Sponsor. Please note that within three years of obtaining the initial Preliminary Credential, additional requirements will need to be satisfied to qualify for the Clear credential.

Retirement

Q: I work 6 hours a day and am considered full time for BCOE. I just received my PERS annual statement, but didn't earn a full year of service credit. Why not?

A: You are full time for BCOE standards, but PERS uses 8 hours as a full time equivalent.

Q: How is STRS service credit calculated?

A: Service credit is calculated by dividing your total earnings by your full time contract.

Q: If I am a PERS member and have accepted a position as a substitute teacher, can I continue to have PERS taken from my certificated earnings?

A: YES, if a new certificated employee, who is a member of CalPERS, and has FIVE years vested service with PERS retirement system, will have the option to continue in the CalPERS Retirement System. The STRS form ES-372 must be completed.

Q: Can I transfer my sick leave balance from my former school district to another school district? Can I transfer my sick leave balance from my former school district to a California University or other government employer?

A: You can only transfer sick leave from school to school within one year of employment with the latest school district. Sick leave is not transferable to a California University or other government employer.

Q: What happens to my sick leave balance if I quit working for a school system

A: If you retire within the school system, your sick leave balance is used for additional service credit.

Q: When can I retire from PERS?

A: You can retire from PERS when you have reached age 50 and have 5 full years of service credit.

Q: Can I retire from BCOE with Early Retiree Health Benefits if I reach age 50 and have 5 years of service credit?

A: NO. BCOE has different requirements. You must qualify for retiree benefits under the conditions of your bargaining unit's MOU with BCOE, most likely, you will also have met the conditions to retire from CalPERS. But, the two benefits are not dependent on each other.

Q: Can I work for a school employer after I retire with PERS?

A: You can work for a school district in any position if you are a retired PERS member, however, you may not work more than 960 hours in a fiscal year, and you cannot be employed by a school district in a permanent position.

Q: Can I work for a school employer after I retire with STRS?

A: You can work for any school district in any certificated position as a retired STRS member, however, you are subject to an earnings limit. You may not work in a permanent classified position as a STRS retiree.

Q: Is there an earnings limit when I retire from STRS?

A: As a STRS retiree, you can work for any school district in a certificated position, however, your earnings are reported to CalSTRS monthly, and you are subject to an annual earnings limit that changes every year on July 1. If you exceed the earnings limit, your allowance will be reduced dollar for dollar for the amount you have exceeded the limit.

Q: Is there an exemption to the STRS earnings limit?

A: YES, you can obtain an exemption from the earnings limit by working for a school district in certain circumstances, which must be approved by CalSTRS and your employer. Contact CalSTRS for more information.

NOTE: You may qualify for an exemption to the earnings limit. Please contact CalSTRS at 1-800-228-5453 or visit the CalSTRS website.

Q: I am subbing for numerous school districts in the area. Do I have to be a STRS member at every district that I am working?

A: YES. Once you elect STRS membership in any district, you are always a STRS member. All earnings paid to you for certificated duties are subject to STRS withholding from all school districts.

Q: How can I get a refund of my PERS or STRS contributions?

A: You can obtain a refund of your contributions by terminating all school employment and submitting the necessary paperwork to the appropriate retirement system.

Q: How do I contact CalPERS if I have a question not asked here?

A: You can call the CalPERS call center at 1-888-225-7377 and your call will be taken by a qualified telephone technician. If your question cannot be answered by the technician, your call will be sent to a qualified PERS representative who will return your call within 72 hours.

Q: How do I contact CalSTRS if I have a question not asked here?

A: You can call the CalSTRS call center at 1-800-228-5453 and your call will be taken by a qualified telephone technician.

Workman's Comp

Q: Where do I seek medical treatment if I am injured on the job?

A: COMP (California Occupational Medical Professionals) / Immediate Care

Oroville Site:
1940 Feather River Blvd., Suite O, Oroville, CA 95965
(530) 534-5135

Chico Immediate Care:
376 Vallombrosa Ave. , Chico, CA
(530) 891-1676

Immediate Care (Paradise Location)
5875 Clark Rd., Paradise, CA 95969
(530) 877-5433

If outside of Butte County, please call BCOE at (530) 532-5818

Q: If the WC doctor takes me off work, how do I code my attendance sheet?

A: The first 3 days the doctor takes you off work will be charged to your sick leave, unless you are out for 14 days or more or are admitted to the hospital. In either case, once appropriate, use the WC code (983) listed on the attendance sheet for time off required by the treating physician.

Q: How do I code my attendance sheet when I have to see the WC doctor during my regularly scheduled work day?

A: Workers' Compensation benefits only cover doctor ordered time off work, which does not include time taken for medical appointments. Please use your sick leave for lost time related to medical treatment.

Contact:

Desi Davis - Confidential Executive Project Assistant
1859 Bird Street, Oroville, CA 95965

Phone: (530) 532-5782
Fax: (530) 532-5787

Butte County Office of Education