PEOPLE MATTERS

**Newsletter includes a corrected document submission deadline for Teacher Lane Change **

This notice provides information on your right to receive a copy of your IRS Form 1095-C, Employer Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage. IRS Form 1095-C provides information related to health (medical) coverage offered by Frederick County Public Schools as well as information on your enrollment status.

Most individuals find they do not need this document for tax purposes, but you have the right to request the form as shared above. You may wish to consult the IRS website or your tax professional for further guidance on the need to request your 1095-C.

To request a copy of your 1095-C, please use the contacts listed below:

• Email - Benefits.1095C@fcps.org
• Written request to ATTN: HR Benefits Department, Frederick County Public Schools, 191 South East Street, Frederick, MD 21701

Frederick County Public Schools will not be mailing forms, but a request must be received as shared in the communication. Forms will be provided no later than March 2, 2026, or 30 days after the request date, whichever date is greater. Requested statements may be provided electronically only when affirmative consent to electronic delivery has been received. For questions, please contact 240-586-8023.

Qualifying Life Event – When a life event occurs, it may impact insurance coverage (including FSA contribution) for yourself or a family member. What do you need to know?

• Act Swiftly – Most qualifying life events have a 30-day deadline from the actual event to either enroll or disenroll from applicable health options with Frederick County Public Schools.
• Effective Date – After an employee requests and submits documentation for a life event, the effective date will be the first of the following month from that request (exception birth/adoption).
• Documents – Documentation is required to support your life event request and must be submitted prior to final approval of your request and all of this within 30 days from the event. *Exception for birth in which the documentation can be shared when it arrives. Enrollment for this event must still be within 30 days from birth.
• Review Plan Document for Cafeteria Plan provisions (IRS rules will prevail)
• Questions – Reach out Benefits.Office@fcps.org

When? Friday, March 20th, 9 AM – 1 PM

Where? Tuscarora High School

More information on class registration coming soon!

Looking for details about your benefits? The FCPS website has a lot of helpful information. Because benefit information is organized across multiple sections, we know it can be hard to know where to look. To help, we've linked a step-by-step guide to help you find what you need.

The FCPS Job Fair will be held at the MSM Frederick Campus again this year on March 10, 2026. More information is coming soon!

2/6/26 Hood College Interviews

2/13/26 Virtual Information Session: Expand Your Impact-Explore High-Need Teaching Pathways-Internal Event

2/20/26 Initial Teacher Interviews

2/20/26 JMU-Teacher Recruitment Day

2/23/26 Frostburg State University Career Day

3/10/26 Teach in MD Conference

We are excited to see a growing number of support staff pursuing full-time student teaching or internship opportunities. If you are considering this pathway in the future, please take time to review the FASSE Negotiated Agreement, which outlines eligibility and requirements.

A limited number of paid, full-time sabbaticals are available for eligible support staff who have completed five years of service with FCPS. Support staff who do not qualify for a paid sabbatical may request an unpaid leave of absence to complete their internship. Additional details are available in the FASSE Agreement or by contacting a Support Team Personnel Officer or the Senior Manager of Support Staffing.

If you have specific questions, please contact the Recruitment Team:
Toya Newman-Piermarini at Toya.Piermarini@fcps.org or April Vierra at April.Vierra@fcps.org .

The following are important contractual dates for bargaining unit members of the Frederick County Teachers Association (FCTA), the Frederick County Administrative and Supervisory Association (FCASA), and the Frederick Association of School Support Employees (FASSE):

As a reminder, per updates to last year’s negotiated agreement, the transfer list is no longer in use. All voluntary lateral transfers must now follow the process outlined below:

• Application Required: Unit members seeking a voluntary lateral transfer must submit an application through the FCPS Job Board by the posting deadline listed on the job announcement.
• Access to Postings: FCPS will ensure unit members have access to a working electronic device, if needed, to review available postings.
• Interview Process: Eligible unit members will be invited to interview. For positions posted as “Open Until Filled,” applications must be submitted within seven (7) work days of the vacancy being posted.
• Eligibility: Only non-probationary unit members are eligible for one (1) voluntary transfer per school year.

Please be sure to review postings carefully and submit applications in accordance with these guidelines. Adhering to this process helps ensure fairness and consistency for all staff.

FCPS is now accepting applications for Support Sabbatical Leave for the 2026–2027 school year. Sabbatical Leave provides educational support employees the opportunity to pursue higher education while maintaining their position with FCPS.

For more information, click here and select Sabbaticals: Support from the available options.

To apply, submit your Sabbatical Leave Application by 11:59 PM on March 1, 2026.

This is a reminder for all FASSE employees who were approved for tuition reimbursement for the fall semester (classes ending December 31, 2025). All required documentation must be submitted by 11:59 PM on March 1, 2026.

For more information, please visit the Tuition Reimbursement section of the FCPS website.

As outlined in the FASSE agreement, all resignations from a benefited position must be submitted using the Employee Status Change Form:

• Resigning during the current school year: Submit the from with at least two (2) weeks’ notice.
• If not returning for the 2026-2027 school year:
• Probationary employees – Submit by May 1, 2026
• Non-probationary employees – Submit by July 1, 2026

Except in extenuating circumstances, missing these deadlines may impact your eligibility for rehire with FCPS.

For non-benefited staff, we also request a two-week notice using the Status Change Form.

For additional details, please review the FASSE Negotiated Agreement.

• January (first week annually): The period by when a vacancy-posting calendar will be identified and shared with bargaining unit members for the voluntary transfer period.
• March to June (annually): The period when vacancies are posted for five (5) days.
• For more information, see Article XV, titled “Transfers” of the Negotiated Agreement between the Board of Education of Frederick County and the Frederick County Teachers Association (“Negotiated Agreement”).

Below please find a list of internal teacher transfer dates. Instructions on how to apply for vacancies will be sent by Human Resources on February 27, 2026.

FCTA members can request lane changes as they continue to achieve credits that move them to the next pay lane on the salary scale. For more information, see Article XXIII, titled “Reimbursement for Education Expenses,” of the Negotiated Agreement.

Lane changes are processed three times a year, 7/1, 10/1, and 2/1. The deadline is 1/31/26 to have your coursework documentation and lane change review request form submitted for a 2/1/26 lane change. For more information on the lane change process, please visit our website.

• March 1 (annually): The date by which Fall courses (ending December 31) must be submitted for tuition reimbursement.
• For more information, see Article XXIII, titled “Reimbursement for Education Expenses,” of the Negotiated Agreement.

• March 1 (annually): The date by which bargaining unit members on an extended leave of absence must provide Human Resources with notice of their intention to return to work or request an extension of leave, if applicable, for the following school year.
• For more information, see Article XXVIII, titled “Extended Leaves of Absence,” of the Negotiated Agreement.

• March 1 (annually): The date by which a previously approved job share request must be submitted for renewal consideration for the following school year.
• April 1 (annually): The date by which a new job share request must be submitted for the following school year.
• For more information, see Article XXXV, titled “Job Sharing,” of the Negotiated Agreement.

• March 1 (annually): The date by which bargaining unit members must submit an intention form to their interest in remaining in a current assignment or express interest in a new assignment.
• For more information, see Article XIV, titled “Transfers, Promotions, and Reductions of Unit Positions,” of the Negotiated Agreement between the Board of Education of Frederick County and the Frederick County Administrative and Supervisory Association (“Negotiated Agreement”).

• January 31 (annually): The date by which bargaining unit members and supervisors must meet to review performance progress. Employees must have met with their evaluator by September 30 of the same school year to review the evaluation process and collaboratively establish objectives.
• For more information, see Article XII, titled “Evaluations” of the Negotiated Agreement between the Board of Education of Frederick County and the Frederick County Administrative and Supervisory Association (“Negotiated Agreement”).

• March 1 (annually): The date by which Fall courses (ending December 31) must be submitted for tuition reimbursement.
• For more information, see Article XVI, titled “Reimbursements,” of the Negotiated Agreement.