Human Resources

• New Payroll Schedule for 2020-21

• Retiree Farewell
  

• Job Postings

Operations

• Update on Statewide Financial Software Implementation
  

Communications

• Stay In Touch This Summer!

Health and Wellness

• Healthy Habit
  

EWSD In the News

Happenings

Opportunities/Reader Submissions

Upcoming Events

Important Links

Audience: All staff
Contact: Payroll Staff (Holly Hayes-Martelle or Lisa Sweet)

The payroll schedule for the 2020/21 year may now be found on the EWSD Intranet under Dashboard > Finance/Payroll > Payroll Schedule (tab on the left) or by clicking this link (you will need to be logged into your EWSD Google account to view the page).

There are two documents available -- the 2020-21 Payroll Schedule lists all district paydays for the year, while the 2020-21 Payroll Deductions and Payments Schedule includes other key dates such as stipend payments, union dues, etc.

As a reminder, the 2020-21 Paid Holidays calendar has also been updated and can be viewed online. Please refer to the applicable master agreement and/or individual employment contract for eligibility information.

Audience: All Staff

Contact: Michelle Connor

We would like to wish a warm farewell and thank you to the following individuals who will be retiring at the end of the 2019-20 school year as well as those who are moving on to a new position outside the district.

From Albert D. Lawton School:

• Suzanne Fitzpatrick

• Steven Hanson

• Donna Heath (returning part-time)

• Kathleen Legg

• Claudia Marie Pawlikowski

• Janet Wilson

• Sharon Wimette

From the Child Nutrition Program:

• Nancy Germain

• Tammy Perri

From the Center for Technology:

• William Lance

• Norm Poutre

• Earnest Larrabee

From the District Office - West:

• Kathleen Barron

From Essex Elementary School:

• Sayde Burke

• Bonita Doble

From Essex High School:

• Marianna Boivin

• Mark Floyd

• Lisa Gunderson

• Ashley Hanlon

• Kim Irish-Aldrich

• Deb Kalkstein-Lamb

• Joel Lagrow

• Thomas McConnell

• Marybeth Perilli

• Julia Pritchard

• Robert Reardon

• Mary Jo Risi

• Louise Strong

• Brian Walsh

• Misuk Weaver

• Laurie Wilcox

From Essex Middle School:

• Kera Breen

• Patricia Giroux

• Evyl Keough

• Allison Levy

• Kimberly Musante

• Emily Pawlusiak

• John Reiter

• Jeffrey Smith

From Thomas Fleming School:

• Emily Cooke

• Martha Kenney

• Daniel Ryan

• Barbara Walter-Auch

From Founders Memorial School:

• Dianne Arthur

• Liga Spoge

From Hiawatha Elementary School:

• Stephanie Murray

• Laurie Redel

From the Security Department:

• Bill Laware

From Summit Street School:

• David Bensel

• Cynthia Capossela (also at Hiawatha)

• Susan Macmillan

• Catherine McKelvey (also at Fleming)

• Cynthia Mongeon (also at Fleming)

From Westford School:

• Barbara Barnier

• Bethany Duggan

• Loretta Grant

• Lee Lichtenstein

Best wishes to all of you in your next adventure!

(While we hope that we captured everyone’s names on this list, please let us know if you were inadvertently left off.)

View a complete list of current job postings and vacancies.

Audience: All staff

Contact: Kathy Barron and Heather Bushey

As we’ve shared in past staff newsletters and detailed on our project web page, the HR/Finance/Payroll team continues to move forward in partnership with Vermont Agency of Education to transition to eFinancePlus (eFP) - the new state-mandated accounting system.

Here’s what has been accomplished in the past month:

• Employee Access Center (EAC) - Once the new accounting system goes live on July 1, employees will be given instructions on how to access EAC. This secure portal will be the default location for accessing payroll direct deposit stubs unless otherwise requested. The portal also provides self-service to complete simple tasks like phone or address updates. More information and instructions for accessing EAC will be coming in the next couple of weeks. The current Tyler Employee Portal (iVisions) will continue to be available through June 30, 2021, for employees who want to access historical payroll information.

• Parallel Payroll Testing - EWSD payroll staff just completed a second test of the payroll system in eFP. This provided our team with corrections needed before go-live and ensures that the first payroll of the new fiscal year in eFP is successful.

• Workflow Changes - As mentioned in the last update, EWSD’s decision to limit eFP users to Administrative Assistants and Finance Coordinators has resulted in changes to some workflows. This change will provide better alignment with operating best practices that are followed by many other school districts in Vermont.

• Staff Training - EWSD has configured eFP accounts for 30 initial users. The group is scheduled to participate in two half-day Purchasing Process Trainings by June 17. Training materials and user guides have been developed (see link below). Training sessions will be recorded so that they can be used for reference and to onboard future employees. We are eager for the group of trained users to continue to meet on a regular basis to deepen their learning of the software and to contribute to the continuous improvement of accounting processes.

• eFinance Training Resources - All training material and resources are available on the EWSD website at https://www.ewsd.org/Page/7805

Final Milestones: Here are the last project milestones EWSD will complete before going live on July 1:

• Create FAQ Informational Document for staff

• Complete Final Payroll Go-Live Requirements

• Create Year-Over-Year Financial Statement Reports for each school and department

• Setup Accounting Monthly Close-Out Process

• Go-Live (July 1)

In case you missed it, read the May project update with information on important changes that eFP will mean for our district.

Audience: All employees

Contact: Ben Dickie

Even with the school year wrapping up, I am always looking for ways to connect and share with our families. Feel free to send me any photos, videos, or updates you might have!

Just a few ideas ...

• Photos of hobbies you are taking part in (artwork, gardening, hikes, etc.)
• How you are preparing for next year
• Travel updates (if we are ever allowed to do so)

Have a safe and relaxing summer!

-From the Employee Wellness Team

• Burlington event provides free seedlings (WCAX)
  
• Senior portraits take over one of five corners (Essex Reporter)
  
• Absentee ballots result in high turnout for Essex Westford School District budget vote (MyNBC5)
  
• Village, school board budgets pass as Kennedy Knox, Brown win only contested seats (Essex Reporter)
  
• Recent voting-by-mail shatters previous turnout numbers (Essex Reporter)
  
• Transcript For 'Racism—And Anti-Racism—In Vermont' (VPR)
  
• Faces of Essex: Chrissy Hultgren - Hiawatha Elementary (Essex Reporter)
  
• Fair enough: Essex High to hold drive-in graduation at Expo (Essex Reporter)
• PHOTOS: EMS parades through town (Essex Reporter)
  
• School districts hold pandemic-delayed budget votes (VT Digger)
  
• How the show will go on... with a twist to make it safe (WCAX)
  
• Essex Teen Creates 30-Day Anti-Racism Challenge (Seven Days)
  
• Talking With Kids (And Parents) About Systemic Racism (VPR)
  
• Essex High’s Giummo wins one of three NEFCU STEM scholarships (Essex Reporter)
  
• If you build it, they will drive in: Making a unique venue in a week (Essex Reporter)
  
• New Vt. Venue Allows for Live Concerts Again—Drive-in Style (NECN)
  

Please keep those submissions coming! Would you like to share student accomplishments, classroom projects, or any other interesting (learning-centered) happenings in your school/building with your EWSD colleagues? Email Ben with your story and/or photos for possible inclusion in a future edition of the EWSD News!

• EWSD Board
  
• VT Agency of Education Field Memo
• EWSD News Archives

Email: bdickie@ewsd.org
Website: www.ewsd.org
Location: 58 Founders Road, Essex Junction, VT, USA
Phone: 802-878-8168
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essexwestford/
Twitter: @EssexWestford

View a complete list of current job postings and vacancies.