The following are informational documents and samples of forms which can be provided by your school secretary, Central Administration or City Hall. Documents presented here are examples only so that you may familiarize yourself with their format before completing them. See your building secretary for the actual forms.

Paycheck deduction codes - gives a brief explanation of codes for deductions that may appear on your paycheck. Be sure to verify your first paycheck and any time there is a change in your gross or net pay. Multiply your gross pay on your paycheck by the number of pay periods you chose (21 or 26). That should equal your salary according to our contract. See the pay scale link below. Be sure if you are entitled to seniority pay (16 years minimum in Melrose) that the amount is also included. Additional stipends from Appendix B, such as coaching, team leader, clubs and the like, are paid separately.

403b Agreement - information needed to begin process of establishing a 403b annuity through the payroll office. You will need to contact one of the approved vendors to set up the deductions.

Senior Teacher Salary request - to be completed and returned to Central Administration in October. Contractual benefit whose requirements are explained on the form and in our contract on pages 48-49, Article XLI , section 13.

Teacher Absence Card - blue index card to be completed after all teacher absences and returned to school secretary. Be sure to check illness, professional or personal day and sign the card.

Sick Days Accumulated - issued by Central Administration usually during the month of September. It will reflect all accumulated sick days including days added for the current year.

Personal Leave Request - obtain from school secretary. To be used for imperative personal business that cannot be conducted outside normal school hours. See contract for limitations. Complete and submit to Superintendent's office for approval.

Professional Leave Request - obtain from school secretary. To be used for professional conferences and workshops. Complete and submit to Superintendent's office for approval. Teachers are generally granted one professional day per year and do not need to provide source for payment of substitutes.

Maternity Leave FAQ sheet - Thanks to the Canton Teachers Association for sharing this informative document which explains state and federal regulations governing maternity leave.

Sample Maternity Leave Request Letter - Refer to article XXXI of our contract and read through the FAQ sheet above. Normally to be submitted to the superintendent's office accompanied by a doctor's note two months prior to your expected departure.

Course Approval -Reimbursement 08-09 This is a triplicate form with specific instructions for course approval. ANY COURSE OR WORKSHOP TAKEN OUTSIDE OF THE MELROSE SYSTEM REQUIRES PRIOR APPROVAL FOR CREDIT. Courses must be approved by the building principal and the superintendent (by May 1 to be considered for a professional upgrade the following year). Submit one copy to the business manager for reimbursement, one copy for Central Administration for annual professional upgrade and keep one copy for your own records. See Commonly Asked Questions for information on reimbursement and approved summer courses which may also lead to a professional upgrade in the fall.

Commonly Asked Questions About Upgrades Distributed in May each year, this form provides critical information on the annual professional upgrade which can lead to salary increases. Be sure to read this document carefully and follow all instructions. It contains a wealth of information on how credits are counted and how to successfully complete the required paperwork.

Cover sheet for Professional Upgrade Distributed in May every year this form will state your current professional standing in terms such as M+27 with 12 PDPs left. This indicates that you have a Masters degree with 27 credits beyond the degree and 12 PDPs as well. (The difference between PDPs and credits is explained in Commonly Asked Questions, above.) This would indicate that if no change is made to your status, you would be paid at the M+15 column in the pay scale, on your appropriate step (number of years teaching). The 12 extra PDPs might be used toward a jump to the next column on the pay scale. One college course or careful documentation of inservice PDPs could bring a M+27 to M+30 for the following year, which provides a significant pay increase.

Professional Upgrade Submission Form Also distributed in May, this form is remitted to Julia Anderson in Central Administration before June 30th each year. Again, it is most important to follow all instructions and provide all documentation in order to receive the correct professional upgrade. The building principal must sign this, and you must attach documentation of all credits and PDPs received during the previous year when it is submitted.

EPIMS coversheet - new hires coversheet for new hires only. Page 2 contains information for health insurance benefits through City Hall and for contacting the Melrose Credit Union.

PDP activity sign in sheet - Be sure to sign this form at all Melrose sponsored workshops, meetings and book clubs to receive Professional Development points toward relicensure and inservice credits. You should receive a certificate for each inservice meeting or workshop attended, generally distributed at the end of the year.

MTA Payroll deduction/ membership form - for new hires or people returning from a year's leave of absence. All new teachers will be asked to complete the form in August. Once completed and signed in two places the treasurer will return a copy to you for your records along with a gift from the MEA. Those hired after the beginning of school should complete the form as soon as possible so that payroll deductions may begin.