Dear fellow employees,

BCPS offers employees an open enrollment period on a yearly basis to review their current benefits coverage and, if necessary, make new elections.

This year’s open enrollment for medical and dental benefits begins on Wednesday, May 6 and ends Wednesday, June 3. For your convenience, you may select your 2009 benefits coverage online through the employee self-service (ESS) feature at www.bcps.org/offices/benefits beginning on Wednesday, May 6.

We strive to offer an attractive package of benefits to meet your needs and to support the vision of the Blueprint for Progress. The same plans offered last year will continue to be available this year.

This Benefits Enrollment Guide provides details about your 2009 plan options. Taking time to review these materials carefully will help you make informed choices about your benefits.

Just a Few Reminders

• If you do not select new benefits on the ESS Web site or submit an enrollment form, your current elections for medical, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, long term disability, and cancer and intensive care insurance will remain unchanged.
• You must make a NEW election to participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
• This year is open enrollment for vision benefits. Your election must remain in effect until August 31, 2011.
• A pre-enrollment confirmation statement will be sent to you in early May. This will enable you to review your current elections and new bi-weekly deductions.
• An open enrollment confirmation statement will be sent to you at the end of August confirming your elections for September 1. Review this document carefully and compare the information to your copy of the worksheet. If there is an error, please contact the Office of Employee Benefits and Retirement immediately so that changes can be made in a timely manner.

If you have any questions, please refer to the contact listings in the front of this Enrollment Guide, call the Office of Employee Benefits and Retirement at (410) 887-8943, or email benefits@bcps.org. We hope you continue to be pleased with these programs as we endeavor to maintain a competitive benefits package for you and your family.

Sincerely,

Dr. Joe A. Hairston
Superintendent

Blueprint for Progress

Vision
Baltimore County Public Schools' graduates will have the knowledge,skills, and attitudes to reach their potential as responsible, productive citizens in a global economy and multicultural society.

Mission
The Baltimore County Public Schools' mission is to provide a quality education that develops the content knowledge, skills, and attitudes that will enable all students to reach their maximum potential as responsible, life-long learners and productive citizens.