Payroll and Compensation

Payroll

Direct Deposit

All employees are paid via direct deposit into their selected bank account.

Salaried Employees

Salaried employees are paid bi-weekly from September through June. Employees may elect to pro-rate their school-year salary over 26 pay periods in order to receive paychecks throughout the entire year. Salaried employees are paid the amount specified in their Letter of Appointment. The first paycheck for the school year is issued in mid-September.

Hourly Employees

Hourly employees are paid bi-weekly based on their pre-determined schedule. All hours must be logged and submitted daily in the online Checkwriters payroll system. If an employee does not submit their hours on time, their hours will be estimated to the best of our knowledge and may have to be corrected at a later date. Time worked must not exceed the agreed-upon schedule. Any time worked beyond the agreed-upon schedule must receive prior approval from the Head of School. Breaks of 30 minutes or more are not included when inputting time into checkwriters.

Staff may receive written warnings and/or corrective action plans in their staff file for repeatedly neglecting to submit their hours on time as it increases the administrative burden when submitting payroll.

Time Reporting Procedures(Checkwriters)

During orientation all employees will be registered with checkwriters, our online payroll platform.  

You will receive an email with information on setting up this account and must set it up previous to your first pay period in order to receive payment.

Checkwriters can be accessed through their webpage https://www.checkwriterspayrollhr.com/ or through the mobile app that can be downloaded from google play or the app store for free. 

Checkwriters has many helpful videos to help employees to navigate the payroll system here are the ones that we think will be most helpful.

To log hours - https://help.checkwriters.com/knowledge/timesheet-entry-for-in-/-out

To request time-off - https://help.checkwriters.com/knowledge/how-to-request-time-off

Staff Benefits

Pioneer Valley Montessori School (PVMS) is committed to supporting the wellbeing of its employees by offering a range of benefits. The following benefits are available to eligible staff members:

Part-time (Less than 30 hours per week)

  • Hourly and most part-time employees accrue paid time off (PTO) based on hours worked.

Full-time (Scheduled for 30+ hours per week)

Tuition Discount

  • 50% off of the base PVMS tuition

  • No charge for before or after school care

  • Enrollment and discounts are subject to program availability

Health Insurance

  • PVMS does not offer a specific group health insurance plan.

  • Instead, the school contributes 33% of the single-rate premium, up to $200 per month.

  • Payments are made monthly and contingent on being actively enrolled in health insurance.

  • Staff members who receive reimbursement for insurance should consider selecting the 26 pay period option and be paid through the summer for even disbursement.

Life Insurance

  • Full-time employees receive a $10,000 employer-paid Life Insurance Policy.

Tax Shelter Annuity (TSA)

  • A Tax Shelter Annuity option is available to all staff members.

  • Contributions are made through payroll deductions, from September through August, on a monthly basis.

Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

  • All staff members are eligible to participate in a Flexible Spending Account.

  • Contributions are made through payroll deductions, from July 1 through June 30, on a monthly basis.

  • FSAs may be used to cover uninsured medical expenses and childcare costs.

Wellness Benefit

  • Staff can be reimbursed up to $250 annually.

  • This allowance may be used toward expenses that reduce stress or promote overall health and wellness.

  • Eligible expenses are interpreted broadly to allow staff to choose what best supports their personal well-being. Examples include, but are not limited to:

    • Fitness or yoga classes

    • Gym memberships or exercise equipment

    • Meditation or mindfulness programs

    • Comfortable shoes or ergonomic supports

    • Massages through licensed massage therapists

    • Hobbies or activities that promote relaxation and balance

    • Healthy eating programs such as a farmshare

Margaret O'Shaughnessy