• Employee Assistance Program

    Beaufort County Schools offers employees who work thirty or more hours each week free access to a multi-tiered employee assistance program (EAP) via Colonial Life.  You must carry the Colonial Basic Life, provided free of charge by Beaufort County Schools.  This service provides confidential counseling and resources via phone, in-person or online for a variety of personal and work issues that include but are not limited to: stress, anxiety, and depression; substance dependency/addition; grief and loss; special needs services; staying healthy; childcare, camps, and after-school care; identity theft resources; and retirement planning.  You must use Google Chrome to access ColonialLife.com/EAP.

    Pierce Group Benefits

    Beaufort County Schools offers as an optional benefit to all eligible employees an opportunity to participate in the Cafeteria (“Flexible Benefits”) Plan. This plan is sanctioned by Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code and offers significant tax savings (federal, state, and FICA) on payroll deductions made under the Plan. Benefits available to employees under the Plan include; Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease Insurance, and Medical and Dependent Care Expense Reimbursement.  Beaufort County Schools works with the Pierce Group to provide these opportunities.

    State Health Plan

    Medical insurance is offered through Blue Cross Blue Shield-NC Preferred Provider Organization (BCBNC-PPO) to employees working 30 more hours per week in a permanent position. Employees also have the option to provide coverage for family members. Any applicable premiums are deducted from the employee’s earnings and are on a pre-tax basis.

    State Employee Benefits Manual

    This manual outlines the rules associated with the various types of leave that public school employees may use (annual, holiday, personal, sick, etc).  It also discusses the Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and other important employee benefits.

    NC Teachers & State Employee Retirement Information

    The State’s retirement system (non-optional participation) is a benefit for permanent full-time employees, with costs shared by the employee (6%) and the State (set by the Legislature, subject to change). Deductions are on a pre-tax basis. At retirement, employees may receive monthly payments for life (based on salary, age, and years of creditable service) or may receive a contributions refund.  Employees can also request a contributions refund upon employment separation.  Contributed funds earn 4% interest after five years of employment.

    Supplemental Retirement Account Options

    Supplemental Retirement Income Plan of North Carolina, 401(k) - The 401(k) Plan is designed to provide future retirees with a supplemental income in addition to state retirement. It allows employees to contribute to an investment program with deferred income taxes on both employee investment and income on investment until a later time. Tax Sheltered Annuities - A 403(b) Plan is a special type of retirement plan available only to employees of public schools and charitable organizations. This type of plan is also sometimes called a tax-sheltered annuity or “TSA” plan. The payroll deduction is not subject to federal and state income taxes until the annuity and its earnings are withdrawn for the employee’s use. Federal and state taxes are deferred until retirement or such time that the employee removes the deposits from the “tax sheltered” annuity.

    Professional Liability for NC Public School Personnel

    Excess Professional Liability Insurance - Legislative funding has again provided for excess professional liability insurance for NCDPI and public school employees.  Coverage is excess over any commercial general liability, errors, and omissions, employment practices liability, and any other valid and collectible insurance resulting from a claim.
    In some cases, coverage may become primary.

    Coverage Highlights Include:

    $1,000,000 Educators Professional Liability
    $10,000 Personal Identity Coverage
    $10,000 Accident Insurance
    $2,500 Attorney Reimbursement (Employment Related Claims)

    There is no enrollment process necessary to be covered.  Coverage is automatically provided to employees of NC public schools, NC charter schools and the Department of Public Instruction in accordance with the North Carolina General Assembly's 2011-12 Appropriations Act.  Details of coverage and how to file a claim are available online at professionalliabilitync.com.