[SchoolFinance] Fwd: IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MSMA: Private Maine PFML Plan Offering from the MSMA Group Insurance Trust (GIT) (OTHER DISTRICTS WHO SUBMITTED CENSUS)
Winslow, Natasha
nwinslow at rsu50.org
Tue Apr 15 13:34:50 EDT 2025
This is what I used:
Motion: I move that the District provide paid family medical leave (FFML)
through a private plan with the insurance contract issued by The Guardian
Life Insurance Company of America, as negotiated by the MSMA GIT, to
provide PFML coverage to all RSU 50 employees pursuant to 26 M.R.S. § 850-H
in substitution of the district participating in the Maine Paid Family
Medical Leave Program.
On Tue, Apr 15, 2025 at 1:29 PM Dawn Blanchard <dblanchard at brunswicksd.org>
wrote:
> Anyone have the language they are bringing to the School Board to approve
> moving to a private plan?
>
>
>
> *~Thanks,*
>
> Dawn Blanchard
>
> Director of Personnel & Finance
>
> she/her/hers
>
> (207)-319-1950
> dblanchard at brunswicksd.org
> www.brunswicksd.org
>
> [image: facebook]
> <https://www.facebook.com/Brunswick-School-Department-896342617067005/>
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 3:25 PM Adam Hanson <
> ahanson at lewistonpublicschools.org> wrote:
>
>> Municipal school departments who share an EIN with their town cannot join
>> the MSMA plan. Fortunately in Lewiston we have our own payroll EIN.
>>
>> On Mon, Apr 14, 2025 at 9:20 AM Heather Reale <hreale at wocsd.org> wrote:
>>
>>> So you did not go with MSMA? What made you go a different route?
>>>
>>>
>>> *Heather A. Reale, MBA, Finance*
>>> Director of Finance
>>> Wells-Ogunquit Community School District
>>> hreale at wocsd.org
>>> 207-641-6909
>>>
>>>
>>> On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM Zak Harding <
>>> zachary_harding at yarmouthschools.org> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Hi,
>>>> Yarmouth provided an initial census nto MSMA but we are municipal and
>>>> share an EIN with the Town. We have sent in our application with the Town
>>>> for a private plan with The Standard.
>>>>
>>>> Zak
>>>>
>>>> On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 11:49 AM Sherry Moody <smoody at mcst8.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> We plan to bring this to our Board on 4/30/25 as well.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sherry
>>>>> ----
>>>>> Sherry Moody, Business Mgr
>>>>> Mid-Coast School of Technology
>>>>> 1 Main Street
>>>>> Rockland, ME 04841
>>>>> (207) 594-2161
>>>>> www.mcst8.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Fri, Apr 11, 2025 at 10:18 AM Mandy Fitzgerald <
>>>>> mandy_fitzgerald at maranacook.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> RSU No 38 is considering it as well and bringing it to our board on
>>>>>> 5/7/25.
>>>>>> ~Mandy
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Thu, Apr 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM Heather Reale <hreale at wocsd.org>
>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> we are as well.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> *Heather A. Reale, MBA, Finance*
>>>>>>> Director of Finance
>>>>>>> Wells-Ogunquit Community School District
>>>>>>> hreale at wocsd.org
>>>>>>> 207-641-6909
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On Wed, Apr 2, 2025 at 1:26 PM Wendy Bradstreet <
>>>>>>> wendy.bradstreet at rsu29.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> We are considering all options at this point.
>>>>>>>> *Wendy Bradstreet*
>>>>>>>> *RSU29 Business Manager*
>>>>>>>> *PO Box 190*
>>>>>>>> *Houlton ME 04730*
>>>>>>>> *(207)538-3137*
>>>>>>>> *wendy.bradstreet at rsu29.org <wendy.bradstreet at rsu29.org>*
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> On Wed, Apr 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM Field, Stacie <sfield at rsu16.org>
>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Yes, we are. I am bringing options to the Board on 4/14.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Stacie Field
>>>>>>>>> Business Manager
>>>>>>>>> RSU 16 - Poland, Mechanic Falls, Minot
>>>>>>>>> 207.998.2727 ext 102
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Wed, Apr 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM Ida Simmons <
>>>>>>>>> isimmons at winthropschools.org> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Is anyone considering this plan?
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ---------- Forwarded message ---------
>>>>>>>>>> From: MSMA <MSMA at msmaweb.com>
>>>>>>>>>> Date: Tue, Apr 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
>>>>>>>>>> Subject: IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MSMA: Private Maine PFML Plan
>>>>>>>>>> Offering from the MSMA Group Insurance Trust (GIT) (OTHER DISTRICTS WHO
>>>>>>>>>> SUBMITTED CENSUS)
>>>>>>>>>> To:
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *Maine School Management Association*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *49 Community Drive*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *Augusta, ME 04330*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *800-660-8484*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *TO: Superintendents of Schools and
>>>>>>>>>> Business Managers*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *FROM: Steven Bailey, Executive Director*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *DATE: April 1, 2025*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *RE: IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MSMA: Private
>>>>>>>>>> Maine PFML Plan Offering from the MSMA Group Insurance Trust (GIT) (OTHER
>>>>>>>>>> DISTRICTS WHO SUBMITTED CENSUS)*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *As the MSMA Group Insurance Trust (GIT) communicated in the fall
>>>>>>>>>> of 2024, MSMA GIT launched a project to sponsor a private Paid Family and
>>>>>>>>>> Medical Leave (PFML) plan to be made available to Maine public school
>>>>>>>>>> districts. Unfortunately, the project was delayed for almost two months
>>>>>>>>>> due to restrictions imposed on the insurance carriers by the Maine Bureau
>>>>>>>>>> of Insurance.*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *After undergoing a full RFP process including finalist
>>>>>>>>>> interviews, the trustees for the MSMA GIT have selected the Guardian as the
>>>>>>>>>> carrier to offer a private Maine PFML plan to Maine’s public school
>>>>>>>>>> districts sponsored by MSMA GIT. *
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *Due to the PFML regulations released by the Maine DOL, MSMA GIT
>>>>>>>>>> is unable to be named the policyholder of a private Maine PFML plan but is
>>>>>>>>>> able to secure competitive pricing based on a block purchase. As a
>>>>>>>>>> result, each school district would have their own private PFML policy with
>>>>>>>>>> the Guardian but still receive all of the advantages of being affiliated
>>>>>>>>>> with the MSMA GIT.*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *The advantages of a private PFML plan through the MSMA GIT
>>>>>>>>>> include:*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> - *Rate below the State rate**
>>>>>>>>>> - *No requirement to have another line of insurance coverage
>>>>>>>>>> with MSMA GIT *
>>>>>>>>>> - *Guardian national account team for all MSMA participating
>>>>>>>>>> districts*
>>>>>>>>>> - *Access to resources at MSMA including the superb support
>>>>>>>>>> of Wendy Douglas, Client Services Manager at MSMA, to help with any issues
>>>>>>>>>> that arise. Wendy will be supporting the new PFML plan as she does now
>>>>>>>>>> for the current GIT dental, life, and disability plans.*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *This is in addition to the potential for savings of 13 months of
>>>>>>>>>> contributions to the State plan**. Here is a **link*
>>>>>>>>>> <https://5il.co/3c8kc>* to a calculator to estimate the
>>>>>>>>>> potential savings, assuming an exemption from contributions to the State is
>>>>>>>>>> effective April 1, 2025.*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *After receiving your census in November, MSMA was informed that
>>>>>>>>>> school districts who share an FEIN with a municipality cannot separately
>>>>>>>>>> choose to participate in a private PFML plan as all employees under the
>>>>>>>>>> same FEIN must be covered under the same plan, either the State plan or a
>>>>>>>>>> private PFML plan. Since municipalities are not eligible to participate
>>>>>>>>>> in MSMA’s GIT plans and we didn’t know if your district had a separate
>>>>>>>>>> FEIN, your census was not included with the RFP sent in November to the
>>>>>>>>>> insurance carriers.*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *Assuming there is no Material and Substantial differences in the
>>>>>>>>>> risk from other districts as represented by your district’s census, the
>>>>>>>>>> Guardian is offering a rate of .88% or .98% for* *a private PFML
>>>>>>>>>> plan through MSMA GIT for Maine’s public school districts. *
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *If your district has a separate FEIN from your municipality and
>>>>>>>>>> you would like to know if your district is eligible for the .88% or .98%
>>>>>>>>>> rate**, please contact Wendy Douglas at **WDouglas at msmaweb.com*
>>>>>>>>>> <WDouglas at msmaweb.com>*. The rate will be guaranteed until
>>>>>>>>>> April 1, 2028, assuming no Material and Substantial change in the risk,
>>>>>>>>>> which is standard language in insurance proposals.*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *Additional information:*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> - *MSMA will be offering a webinar at 9 am on April 9, 2025**
>>>>>>>>>> to provide additional information about the plan, its implementation, and
>>>>>>>>>> answer participants’ questions. A separate communication with webinar
>>>>>>>>>> details will be forthcoming.*
>>>>>>>>>> - *May 31, 2025 is the deadline for filing an application
>>>>>>>>>> online with the DOL for a private plan substitution in order to be exempted
>>>>>>>>>> from paying into the State program effective April 1, 2025.*
>>>>>>>>>> - *The Guardian has a very simple process for providing the
>>>>>>>>>> documentation needed to submit an application for a private plan
>>>>>>>>>> substitution with the DOL.*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> ** Please note, for districts with less than 15 employees under
>>>>>>>>>> one FEIN, the Guardian rate will be higher than the State rate so the State
>>>>>>>>>> plan will likely be a preferable option.*
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Maine School Management Association
>>>>>>>>>> 49 Community Drive
>>>>>>>>>> Augusta, ME 04330
>>>>>>>>>> Direct Line 207-622-3473
>>>>>>>>>> Fax 207-626-2968
>>>>>>>>>> www.msmaweb.com
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> IMPORTANT/CONFIDENTIAL: This e-mail message (and any attachments
>>>>>>>>>> accompanying it) may contain confidential information, including
>>>>>>>>>> information protected by client privilege. The information is intended only
>>>>>>>>>> for the use of the intended recipients(s). Delivery of this message to
>>>>>>>>>> anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is not intended to waive any
>>>>>>>>>> privilege or otherwise detract from the confidentiality of the message. If
>>>>>>>>>> you are not the intended recipient, or if this message has been addressed
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> --
>>>>>>>>>> Ida Simmons
>>>>>>>>>> Finance Specialist
>>>>>>>>>> Winthrop Public Schools
>>>>>>>>>> 207-377-2296 x 2003
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> *Please note my new work schedule effective September 6, 2024:*
>>>>>>>>>> *Monday - Thursday Office Hours 6am - 2pm*
>>>>>>>>>> *Friday - Remote 6am - 2pm*
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>>>>>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>> [image: photo]
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Mandy Fitzgerald
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Finance Director at RSU No. 38
>>>>>> "A Caring School Community Dedicated To Excellence"
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 207-685-3336 x 1210
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> mandy_fitzgerald at maranacook.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 45 Millard Harrison Drive, Readfield, Maine 04355
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Finance Director at RSU No. 38
>>>>>> "A Caring School Community Dedicated To Excellence"
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 207-685-3336 x 1210
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> mandy_fitzgerald at maranacook.com
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 45 Millard Harrison Drive, Readfield, Maine 04355
>>>>>> This electronic message transmission contains information which may
>>>>>> be confidential or privileged. The information is intended to be for the
>>>>>> use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended
>>>>>> recipient, be aware that any disclosures, copying, distribution or use of
>>>>>> the contents of this information is prohibited.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> If you have received this electronic transmission in error, please
>>>>>> notify me by telephone (207-685-3336 x.4) or by electronic mail (
>>>>>> mandy_fitzgerald at maranacook.com <mandy_fitzgerald at maranacook.org>)
>>>>>> immediately.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
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>>>>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>>>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Zak Harding
>>>> Director of Business Services
>>>> Yarmouth School Department
>>>> zak_harding at yarmouthschools.org
>>>> 207-846-5586
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> SchoolFinance mailing list
>>>> SchoolFinance at maillist.informe.org
>>>> http://maillist.informe.org/mailman/listinfo/schoolfinance
>>>
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>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Adam Hanson
>> Controller
>> Lewiston Public Schools
>> 36 Oak Street
>> Lewiston, ME 04240
>> Phone: (207) 795-4100, ext. 4051
>> Fax: (207) 795-4177
>>
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--
*Natasha Winslow**Business Manager*
*RSU 50 <http://www.rsu50.org/>*nwinslow at rsu50.org
*Phone:* 207.757.8223 Ext.012 | *Fax:* 207.757.8257
*District Website: rsu50.org <http://rsu50.org/>*
Confidentiality Notice:
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*P* *Before printing this e-mail think GREEN!*
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