Updates from the Payroll Office: IPERS, TQ Compensation & TQ Mentor Pay

IPERS (Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System)
Effective July 1, 2009, the IPERS contribution rates for employees and employers will increase as mandated by law. For employees, the rate increases from 4.1% to 4.3%, and for employers, the rate increases from 6.35% to 6.65%. This change will be reflected starting with your July 15th paycheck. The rate change will increase employee contributions by $2 per pay period for each $1,000 of wages, and the employer’s contribution will increase by $3 per pay period for each $1,000 of wages. Please contact Steve Jordan at ext. 14908 or Jami Johnson at ext. 14311 if you have any questions.

Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund Monies
Certified staff members receive Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund monies as part of their paychecks from October to June. As a reminder, the final 2008-09 fiscal year payment of Phase II and Teacher Quality Compensation Fund monies occurred with the June 30th paychecks. Per the comprehensive agreement, payment of these monies for the 2009-10 fiscal year will begin with your October 15th paychecks. Please note, the Teacher Quality Compensation Fund is not to be confused with the Teacher Quality Professional Development program that certified staff members are participating in and receive payment for over the summer months. More information about Teacher Quality Mentor pay will follow in the paragraph below. Please contact Steve Jordan or Jami Johnson if you have questions.

Teacher Quality Mentor Pay
Questions have arisen regarding pay for mentors for first and second year certified staff members. The breakdown for mentor pay is as follows: The AEA received $1,000 dollars per eligible staff member (to pay mentors). Out of the $1,000 allotted to the AEA, $877 was used for salary, $56 (6.35%) was for the employer’s portion of IPERS and $67 was used for the employer’s portion of FICA and Medicare (7.65%). The employer’s share of IPERS, FICA and Medicare are allowable expense for Teacher Quality funding. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact Sarah Brown, Program Assistant for Internal Professional Development at sbrown@aea11.k12.ia.us or at ext. 14380.