Browse Resources

Use the Keyword search to instantly find specific business/school issues tailored to independent schools. You may select the Resource Type if you need to be more specific on category, but it is not necessary. Use the "tag" selection only if you are looking groups of articles/policies within a specific area. NOTE: You can use Keyword, Resource Type and Tag independently. For help with a job description or policy, contact brollings@soserv.com

Click Title Below
403b IRS 2008 Update

403b Update – IRS 2008 Update

WASHINGTON — The IRS issued a notice today announcing relief for certain 403(b) retirement plans that do not have a written plan in place by January 1, 2009. The IRS is extending the deadline for plan sponsors to adopt new written plans or amend existing plans to satisfy the requirement of the final 403(b) regulations because of difficulties expressed by numerous plan administrators in meeting the current deadline of January 1, 2009.  This extension will give plan sponsors additional time to put their plan documents in place.

403b Regulations

Final 403b Regulations

We have received a number of requests from member schools about final 403(b) regulations. We have found an excellent summary of the final regulations from TIAA/CREF.  

ADMINISTRATOR CHECKLIST: NEXT STEPS TO SATISFYING THE FINAL 403(b) REGULATIONS

501c3 Organizations and Sales Tax

When Should 501(c)(3) Organizations Collect Sales Tax?

When should 501(c)(3) organizations collect sales tax?
Tom Pingleton of Pingleton, Howard & Company, P.C. responds to members’ questions about sales tax.  Generally, exempt groups must obtain sales tax permits and collect and remit sales tax on all items they sell. However, sales tax does not need to be collected on the following:

8282 Form Threshold Changes

Form 8282 Changes in $ Threshold for Filing IRS

In December 2005, IRS changed the ground rules for filing Form 8282. Before December, you had to file Form 8282 for charitable deductions sold in excess of $5,000. Now it's $500. 

A Trustee's Guide to the Annual Operating Budget Process

Most schools are now well into their budget development season. In my experience, the board of trustees often arrives at the end of the process with the feeling it has not had sufficient time to consider the information and issues that come together in this annual exercise. This year, with continuing financial stress in the economy, it is especially important to get it right. I would like to share a few thoughts about the process and how heads and trustees can be satisfied with the end product. Each independent school has its own distinct style and calendar. This article will look at some of the elements they have in common. In general, the larger the institution, the more work goes into the budget.

Aabama Enacts Comprehensive Immigration Law

Alabama Enacts Comprehensive Immigration Law

 On June 9, 2011, Gov. Robert Bentley signed into law the Beason-Hammon Alabama Taxpayer and Citizen Protection Act described as the toughest immigration law in the country.

Accident Waiver and Release of Liability

ACCIDENT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM
(from www.insure.events.com)

Accounting Strategy

Effective Accounting Strategies for Schools 

Ever wished that your accounting reports were practically self-explanatory? Ever wish that the needs of the school were completely obvious to even the newest and least skilled teacher or trustee? Ever wish that your audit looked like the reports you provide monthly or quarterly reports produced by your own accounting system? Managed asset formats for financial accounting can help you achieve all of those seemingly elusive objectives. Below are the basic principles. Following the narrative portion is an example. Using managed assets is fully GAAP and FASB compliant.

Accruing Vacation Leave in California

Accruing Vacation Leave in California

My employer's vacation policy provides that if I do not use all of my annual vacation entitlement by the end of the year that I lose the unused balance. Is this legal?

Act 24 - Changes to Criminal Background Checks

Act 24 – Changes to Criminal Background Checks

PAISBOA asked Suzanne Bogdan of Fisher & Phillips to review Act 24. Ms. Bogdan has created three documents for PAISBOA schools:

  1. A summary document with FAQs for school administrators
  2. Talking points school administrators can use when addressing their faculty and staff about Act 24
  3. A memo to all faculty and staff explaining Act 24
Act 24 Sample Memo to School Employees

PAISBOA asked Suzanne Bogdan of Fisher & Phillips to review Act 24. Ms. Bogdan has created three documents for PAISBOA schools.  Below is the link to a sample memo to all faculty and staff explaining Act 24. 

Act 24 Sample Talking Points

PAISBOA asked Suzanne Bogdan of Fisher & Phillips to review Act 24. Ms. Bogdan has created three documents for PAISBOA schools.  Below is the sample talking points school administrators can use when addressing their faculty and staff about Act 24.

 

Act 24 Summar FAQs for School Administrators

PAISBOA asked Suzanne Bogdan of Fisher & Phillips to review Act 24. Ms. Bogdan has created three documents for PAISBOA schools. Below is a summary document with FAQs for school administrators. 

Act 48 Information for PA Schools

Act 48 Information

Here’s a question from a PAISBOA member: A teacher at our school has completed professional development and wants to apply it to her PA teacher certification so that it remains active. What should we do?

ADA Accommodating Sensitivity to Odors

Accommodating Employees' Sensitivity To Odors In The Workplace 

The City of Detroit recently settled a lawsuit brought by Susan McBride, a city planner who had claimed that due to lifelong chemical sensitivities she was allergic to her co-worker's perfume, making it difficult for her to breathe. The settlement of her claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) included a substantial monetary payment to the employee, as well as the adoption of a "no-scent" policy asking employees to refrain from wearing scented products, including perfumes, colognes, after-shave, hair sprays, and similar items.

ADA Amendments Interactive Questionaire

ADA Amendments Interactive Questionaire

On January 1, 2009, the ADA Amendments Act will become law, fundamentally altering the landscape of disability law and the reasonable accommodation process. This questionnaire is designed for use after the Amendments Act goes into effect. At some point in the near future, the EOC will publish new regulations impacting the reasonable accommodation process, which will likely require employers to modify this questionnaire.

ADA and ADAA Compliance Tips 2010

ADA-ADAAA  - Tips for Complying with the New ADA  

Leslie Silverman Silverman, a partner at Proskauer, LLP, in Washington, D.C., and former vice chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), offered her take on the ADAAA at the Society for Human Resource Management's Employment Law and Legislative Conference held recently in Washington, D.C.

ADA Guidelines 2009

EEOC Issues Long-Awaited ADA Guidelines

Approximately one year after former President Bush signed the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), the EEOC has finally issued proposed regulations and an Interpretive Guidance for public comment. As expected, the new regulations make significant changes in how certain terms under the ADA are defined, which certainly will give rise to more disability claims. Read the full article for a summary of the most significant changes and guidance to the regulations.

ADA Interactive Process 2009

The Interactive Process in Reasonable Accommodation (ADA)

Once a qualified individual with a disability has requested provision of a reasonable accommodation, the employer must make a reasonable effort to determine the appropriate accommodation.

ADA New Clarification 2011

New ADA Rules Provide Much Needed Clarification

After a lengthy wait, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has issued final regulations and interpretive guidance for the Americans With Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA), the new disability law which was passed in 2008. Many employers were prepared for the worst after the agency first proposed dramatic and game-changing regulations in 2009 which would have tilted the playing field even further in favor of employees. Although the final regulations published on March 24, 2011 strongly emphasize that the law's coverage is to be quite broad, the EEOC pulled back from its original position and published regulations that are fairly consistent with the statute.

ADA Required Electronic Books

Requiring Use of Electronic Book Readers May Violate ADA/504


On June 29, 2010, the U.S. Departments of Justice and Education issued a joint letter to college and university presidents nationwide expressing concern that their institutions might be requiring students to use electronic book readers (e.g., Kindle, iPad) that are inaccessible to those with visual impairments.

Adverse Action Notification Process

Employer Adverse Action Notification Procedures

Introduction

Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), employers are required to take certain actions whenever they obtain a consumer report on a job applicant or employee. All background screening reports produced by outside vendors are classified as consumer reports and FCRA requirements include notification, certification and action before and after an adverse event.

AEDS in the Workplace

The Case For Automated External Difibrillators (AEDS) in the Workplace

At the January facility meeting, facility directors discussed the acquisition of Adds (automated external defibriAllators) for their campuses. Most of the facilities with BAAEDs had established security forces. Facility directors who had not purchased AEDs brought up a number of issues:

Applicant Letter

APPLICANT LETTER FORM

Applicant Tracking

Online Applicant Tracking - Webinar Summary of September 22, 2010

So you’re ready to purchase an applicant tracking system. Here’s a checklist from TJ Chandler of EdZapp to help you in your purchase.  

How easy is the system to access and use?

School Office Services

5050 Spring Valley Road * Dallas, Texas 75244 * 800-555-9074 

Policy Terms Contact