PEOPLE MATTERS

In this issue of People Matters, you'll find new team contacts, process updates, and our yearly timeline reminders from Human Resources.

Are you interested in saving for retirement through a 403(b)/457(b) deferred compensation plan?

Visit our Financial Wellness page on the TSA Plan Administration website for full details on offerings.

• Meaningful Notice and Plan Summary Information

If you plan to retire during this next year, please sign up for a retirement session listed below –

• Thursday, November 6, 2025, 2 - 4 PM, Central Office
• Tuesday, December 2, 2025, 2 - 4 PM, Central Office
• Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 2 - 4 PM, Central Office
• Friday, February 13, 2026, 2 - 4 PM, Central Office
• Thursday, March 12, 2026, 10 AM - Noon, Central Office
• Monday, March 30, 2026, 2 - 4 PM, Central Office
• Thursday, April 9, 2026, 10 AM - Noon, Central Office
• Thursday, April 23, 2026, 5 - 7 PM, Central Office
• Friday, May 1, 2026, 2 - 4 PM, Central Office

Available for your review, a Q&A for frequently asked questions to assist prior to attending a session. Retirement packets should be submitted at least 30 days prior to your retirement date.

Coming soon this spring – an enhanced submission experience for retirement paperwork brought to your by Human Resources, Benefit staff.

You can now connect with an FCPS Retirement Coordinator by emailing Retirement@fcps.org

This email account is available to provide FCPS staff with assistance regarding retirement planning.

Be certain to visit the FCPS Wellness Newsletter to review what’s new in the world of Wellness and Benefit information!

XPLORO - a healthcare adventure made especially for young people.

The start of a new school year is a great time to check Employee Self Service to confirm your personal information is up to date. Use the links below to learn how to navigate Employee Self Service.

How to login and what’s available?

Getting Started with PeopleSoft HR/Employee Self Service

Has is it been more than 60 days since your last login?

Unlocking Your PeopleSoft Account

Need to update your contact information?

Checking and Updating Personal Information

Want to view your paycheck?

Viewing Paychecks

What are the SY25/26 pay dates?

Pay Date Calendar

• For tuition reimbursement and course approval, please click on the link below for step-by-step instructions. Also included in this link are the deadlines as determine by the negotiated agreements. https://www.fcps.org/staff/benefits/tuition_reimbursement
• Summer coursework completed by August 31, must be submitted for reimbursement by October 15.
• Approval for Fall courses must be submitted in the course approval system by October 15.
• Be sure to have an OFFICIAL transcript sent to courseapproval@fcps.org when college courses have been completed and need to be added to your professional profile.

• When requesting reimbursement, be sure an ITEMIZED receipt is uploaded into the course approval system.

As of July 17, 2025, we are no longer able to approve coursework completed at Idaho State University for tuition reimbursement or salary advancement. The instructional format and assessment methods do not meet the established standards for advanced coursework. However, these courses may still be applied toward teacher licensure renewal requirements.

For coursework completed February 1 to August 31, the deadline is 9/30/25 to have your coursework documentation and lane change review request form submitted.

Sabbatical leave enables an employee to pursue an activity that will benefit FCPS by enhanced professional competence or enable an employee to perform in a critical area of need, as well as benefit the employee personally.

Teachers and Administrators

• Requests for sabbatical leave must be received in writing to Human Resources no later than December 1st of the year preceding the school year for which the leave is requested.

• No applicant with an unsatisfactory rating on the prior year’s evaluation will be considered.

• An applicant must have completed at least six (6) full years of active service with FCPS.

• An applicant must register for a minimum of twelve (12) credit hours per semester, unless an exception is granted by the Director of Human Resources.

• An approved applicant will be paid by the Board at 50% of the salary rate which the individual would have received while on active duty, provided the individual agrees to return to work with FCPS for a period of one (1) year.

• Once the sabbatical has concluded, the teacher must present adequate verification of work or experience to the Director of Human Resources.

• The approved applicant will be placed on the salary schedule at the level which would have been achieved if the individual remained actively employed with the system during the period of absence.

• Should the approved applicant not return to service with the Board, the approved applicant must refund the salary paid while on sabbatical leave.

Effective July 1, the ratified FASSE Negotiated Agreement outlines a new process for Education Support Professionals (ESPs) requesting a lateral transfer. A lateral transfer applies when an ESP wishes to remain in their current position but move to a different location within the county.

ESP’s seeking a voluntary lateral transfer must use an FCPS device to apply through the application system before the posting deadline. Eligible applicants will be invited to interview. For “Open Until Filled” postings, applications must be submitted within seven workdays of the vacancy posting.

For complete details, please refer to Article 3.07 of the FASSE Negotiated Agreement.

In alignment with Maryland’s Blueprint for Education, all Instructional Assistants working in full-day Pre-K classrooms will be required to hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, an Associate’s Degree, or a higher degree by the 2027–2028 school year.

To support staff in meeting this requirement, we have outlined pathway options and resources based on your current level of education and experience. Please review the category that best reflects your situation to learn more about the steps you can take and the supports available.

For more information, select the category you fall within below to explore detailed guidance and pathway options.

• I currently have a CDA, Associate’s Degree, or higher

• I currently have some college credits, but do not yet hold a CDA or Associate’s Degree

• I currently do not have any college credits to apply towards a CDA or Associate’s Degree

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) has recently announced changes to educator licensure regulations. Please visit the resources linked below to learn more about the changes.

General Licensure Information:

FCPS Educator Licensure Info Page >Licensure Dropdown

Licensure FAQs

Teacher Licensure 101

NEW Reading Requirements for Elementary, Special Education (All grade bands), ESOL, and Early Childhood:

Science of Reading

Science of Reading Coursework

For educators 55 years of age or older OR with at least 25 years of public education experience:

Senior Teacher Waiver > Senior Teacher Waiver Tab

To view your teaching credential or pay your processing fee:

TEACH (The Educator Application and Credentialing Hub)

For guidance on navigating TEACH:

TEACH Applicant Guide

Change in Process

• Please note that there has been a change in process for certificate/license renewal fee billing. The $10 fee will no longer be paid as a payroll deduction. Educators will have the ability to self-pay on the TEACH Dashboard by credit or debit card. Clear guidance on how to make a payment will be provided in your renewal confirmation email notification. This shift will allow educators immediate access to their teacher credential once payment has been made.

Federal to Future! The Recruitment team attended a job fair on August 26 for displaced Federal Employees. It was well attended with over 1000 people! We were busy, but met with a ton of qualified candidates for some of our positions.

Upcoming events include:

• October 1, 2025

• Frostburg State University

• Penn Tech

• October 22, 2025

• Bowie State University

• February 20, 2026

• James Madison University

SAVE THE DATES!

FASSE Day! The Recruitment and Licensure team will present how to become a MD licensed teacher at FASSE Day on October 17.

We will be hosting an event titled: "Leadership Pathways: Advancing Excellence in Education" on November 11 at Frederick High School. This event will be specifically designed for our current teachers. The purpose of this event is to inform and support our staff in growing in their leadership and how they can obtain leadership positions, possibly advancing on the career ladder. Topics will include: Becoming Nationally Board Certified, How to become a school administrator, Specialist positions, interviewing skills, etc. Be on the lookout for registration information soon!

The FCPS Job Fair will be held at the MSM Frederick Campus again this year on March 10, 2026.

Looking for HR-related information or answers?

Many answers to common HR-related questions can be found directly on the FCPS website. The Search function is especially helpful—it actively provides direct links to the information you need when you enter key words.

For example, if you need to verify employment, simply type “verifications” in the search bar, and the top result will take you directly to the Verifications section of the HR webpage.

We encourage all employees to use this resource as a first step when looking for HR information or forms.

Visit our website, for previous issues of the Human Resources Newsletter: People Matters.