Resources for Employees Affected by Staff Reductions

Your insurance coverage through SPPS remains in effect through the end of the month in which you last work. You may continue coverage for medical, dental, vision and/or life insurance for up to 18 months at your own expense under Federal COBRA law. COBRA materials will be mailed to you within 15 days of the date coverage is terminated and you will have 60 days to elect COBRA coverage. You do not need to elect into this coverage if you do not want to.

If you elect COBRA coverage and make your first premium payment, coverage is reinstated retroactively to the day in which coverage was terminated under the active group plan.

Example: If your last date worked was 6/10/25, your coverage would end 6/30/25 and your COBRA notification would be mailed out mid July. If the payment is made, coverage would start 7/1/25.

You can continue life insurance through COBRA for up to 18 months or call Securian Financial at 1-833-810-8260 to get additional information on how to transfer your coverage. More information on COBRA coverage is noted under the "What happens to my insurance coverage when I am laid off?" FAQ above.

You are not eligible to receive a refund of your pension contributions or to apply for an annuity as a retiree unless you officially resign or retire from SPPS. To receive a refund of your pension contributions, or to apply for an annuity if you are at least 55 years old and have 3 years or more of service, you must contact your pension fund directly. Contact information for your pension or other retirement accounts is available on our website here.

*Remember, if you apply for a refund of your pension contributions, there is a substantial tax penalty. Your retirement fund will give you more detailed information when and if you apply for a refund.

PERA:

Phone #: 651-296-7460
Fax #:  651-297-2547
Main PERA Website    
PERA Forms 

SPTRFA:

Phone #: 651-642-2550
Fax #: 651-642-2553
E-mail: info@sptrfa.org
Main SPTRFA Website

Your Flexible Savings Account or Health Savings Account(FSA/HSA) elections will be termed at the end of the month of your termination date(funds will no longer be added at this time). 

• Please contact Optum directly for assistance with all customer support inquiries, including the reimbursement or claim process:
  • Online - Sign in to access self-help tools and assistance.
  • Phone - Optum's customer support center is available for assistance 24/7, at (800) 243-5543.

• FSA: Any funds remaining in your account must be used by your last day of employment. Any funds remaining in your account will be forfeited after that time.
• HSA: Any funds in the account can be used until funds are depleted.

Sick pay varies by bargaining unit. Each unit has different rules. You can check your union contract, reach out to payroll@spps.org or contact the Payroll Specialist who supports your school/program.

Examples include(exceptions may apply):

• 10 month employees impacted by staff reductions beginning in June: Your sick pay will remain intact throughout the summer period, contingent upon your return to active employment status in August.
• 12 month employees impacted by staff reductions(exceptions may apply): Your sick pay will remain intact for 180 days, up to 80 hours, contingent upon your return to active status.
• Teaching Assistants: Your sick pay will remain intact for one year, contingent upon your return to active status.

Your earned vacation pay (if applicable) will be paid out in full on the payday immediately following your last paycheck.

Your paychecks will be generated as normal, during regular paydays.

Examples include(exceptions may apply):

• See this chart for general guidelines for 10-month staff's last paycheck dates: 2024-25 Staff Work Year Schedule
  • For specific questions, reach out to payroll@spps.org or the Payroll Specialist who supports your school/program.
• Non school-based staff:
  • 12 month staff last paycheck with end date 6/30/25(exceptions may apply): 7/25/25

Severance pay is only available for employees who choose to retire. Severance pay is not available when in lay off status. Check your collective bargaining agreement for specific language. You will find information relative to severance pay under the article describing retirement and separation from SPPS.

Employees will receive official notice of layoff within 2 weeks of the date of layoff, at the latest. Human Resources needs to verify seniority and determine who has bumping rights to positions before an official layoff notice is sent. The notification date will depend on the start date of your work year. Employees whose positions have been cut are not necessarily the employees who are ultimately placed on layoff.

If you would like to connect with someone in Human Resources, please reach out to our associates at hr.info@spps.org or 651-767-8200. They will be able to answer your questions or direct you to a member of human resources staff who can help. While we are available at the Colborne administrative building, our HR staff is extremely busy during this season of the year, so it is highly recommended to make an appointment beforehand as we cannot guarantee that someone will be immediately available to speak with you.

Yes! You can apply for other jobs in the district. However, people with recall rights will be given jobs within their bargaining unit before other individuals are considered for vacancies. You can search for vacancies and apply online at https://www.spps.org/careers.

If you are a licensed teacher, you can work as a substitute through Kelly Education. Paraprofessionals and civil service employees may apply for temporary or hourly jobs throughout the upcoming months. If you have been selected for a summer school assignment, you can still work summer school even if you’ve been laid off or your position has been cut.

Apply today with kelly Education® 

As positions become available, placements are made in order of seniority. Most placements are made by the end of the school year; however, vacancies occur throughout the year.

Recall rights vary by bargaining unit. Each unit has different recall rights. You can check your union contract, call Human Resources, or contact your union representative to determine your recall rights.

Recall occurs in reverse seniority order. When vacancies are realized throughout the upcoming months, individuals who are the most senior in the job title and who qualify for the position are recalled first. If an individual refuses a position when they are recalled, they must resign from Saint Paul Public Schools.

You may be eligible for unemployment if you:

• earned sufficient wage credits
• are unemployed through no fault of your own
• are able to work and available for employment
• are actively seeking suitable employment

For comprehensive information relative to unemployment eligibility, visit the State’s web page: www.uimn.org. For job seeker services, visit the Minnesota Workforce Center website at https://mn.gov/deed/job-seekers/.

When you receive your layoff notice, you should apply for unemployment right away. Even though you may be eligible for vacation pay, vacation pay does not affect the timing for unemployment compensation. You can apply via the internet at www.umin.org or apply over the phone at 651-296-3644. If you worked for another employer before coming to SPPS you may be eligible for unemployment based on the hours and earnings from your previous employer.

• Tier 1 or Tier 2 license holders can only obtain or renew a license with a contingency of a job offer from a school district. If you are in the year of renewing your license you will want to ensure you have the requirements indicated on your PELSB license, which may include: attempting the MTLE exams, and/or completing four Professional Development courses: American Indian History and Culture, Cultural Competency, Suicide Prevention and Mental Illness. Renewals require signatures from the district Human Resource Coordinator respective to the building you are assigned to. 
• Tier 3 and Tier 4 license holders can relicense with the district they work for OR district they live in with that district's Relicensing Committee. License holders need to ensure they have the required clock hours and areas needed to relicense. License holders may request to have a copy of their PowerSchool transcript by emailing the relicensing committee: relicensurecommittee@spps.org. More information on the process and procedure for relicensing can be found on the SPPS district's Relicensing webpage: https://www.spps.org/about/departments/human-resources/educator-development/relicensure-process.

*Please note that PowerSchool is where current SPPS employees can access these Professional Development courses, but they are only available during the school year. Therefore, it would be at your discretion to take measures to have them reflected on your transcript before the school year ends.

No. If your position is being cut, it no longer exists. Therefore, this position will not be eligible to take a leave from. If you need a leave prior to the cut date, please reach out to Benefits@spps.org.

If you are interested in retiring, contact Benefits at Benefits@spps.org or 651/744-1030. The team can help you to determine your eligibility and will discuss retiree benefits with you. You may also resign by completing a resignation form. Resignation forms may be completed and submitted online through your PeopleSoft account (employee self service).

You are still a member of the union throughout the duration of your recall rights. Recall rights can vary per contract, please consult your labor agreement for specific information related to your recall/lay off rights.

A layoff is not considered a break in service for purposes of longevity and/or seniority in the school district during the recall period as defined in the labor agreement.

If you believe that you are being treated unfairly, your first step is to talk to your supervisor. If this is not an option for you, you should contact either the Human Resource Consultant who supports your school/program or your union representative.

Seniority lists for most bargaining units are available through PeopleSoft (employee self service). In addition, you can contact your Human Resource Coordinator who supports your school/program.

*Please note, changes in progress. Sand Creek Employee Assistance Program is available to assist you on an individual basis for personal crisis counseling, referral for financial planning, legal issues, and much more. You can call 651-430-3383 or visit their website at http://myassistanceprogram.com/sandcreek. For most up to date information, please contact district.wellness@spps.org.

Putting together a resume can sometimes be a daunting task. For many, it requires synthesizing years of work experience into several pages to concisely explain to a potential employer why you are the best candidate for the job.

Resumes come in many different forms. The internet has many resources for creating resumes. On the internet, you will find free resume formats, samples, and tutorials on how to create the best resume.

The most common formats for resumes are a chronological, functional or combination.

Chronological :

A chronological resume is typically organized by citing your most recent position first and working backward to highlight other jobs held, preferably within the last five to ten years. This format is preferred by many employers as it emphasizes a consistent work history.

Example: Chronological, basic document

Functional :

A functional resume will highlight the skills, knowledge, accomplishments and expertise of a candidate. In this format, information is organized on your resume under the headings of specific functions or skills. This format works well for new graduates, job seekers in career transition and for those who would prefer to emphasize experiences that may appear outdated (but still relevant to their job search).

Example: Functional, basic document

Combination :

The combination brings together the chronological and functional format. This format includes a functional section that emphasizes accomplishments, skills and experience. It also includes a chronological section that lists employment history, employment-related experiences and education. This format is most effective for job seekers to highlight their work history in an appealing way.

Example: Combination - sample teacher resume 

TIPS FOR BUILDING RESUMES:

• Include up-to-date contact information on your resume. Include name, address, phone, email, job titles, dates of employment, description of job duties, etc.
• Spacing and length are important. Your resume should not only be concise, but also be easy for the hiring manager to read.
• Include dates of employment. The month and year are sufficient.
• Include job titles/duties. Include your relevant job titles and list duties under each titles. This can be done by simply listing the duties using bullet points.
• Proofreading is so critical. Check spelling, punctuation, and grammar. Errors on resumes can sometimes cost you an interview.

There are many sites that provide resources for preparing a resume. The following provide samples, tips, and tutorials.

Minnesota Department of Economic Security

CareerOneStop.org

CareerBuilder.com