Los Angeles Unified School District employees have the option to enroll in two tax-deferred retirement plans—a 457(b) plan and/or a 403(b) plan. District policy on vendor access to campuses differs greatly for each plan. In this article I hope to resolve any question regarding vendor access to school campuses and, for that matter, any District property.
Click here and scroll down to page 3 for LAUSD BUL-6178.0: Employee Unions, Associations, and Organizations, Solicitations and Sale of Merchandise, and Use of School Mail, dated October 14, 2013, clearly states that “no agent may solicit employees, advertise or distribute promotional materials for the purpose of insurance policies, solicitation of contracts for tax-sheltered annuities, 403(b) voluntary retirement savings or similar benefits on District property (including vehicles) or through District media, email or publications, including websites.” Simply put, the sale of 403(b) products on any District property is not allowed.
The above-mentioned bulletin also clearly states that authorized representatives of the LAUSD-sponsored 457(b) plan are allowed on District property, including campuses. There is just one 457(b) plan for LAUSD employees, and it is managed by the District Retirement Investment Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of District bargaining units and staff. (I represent AALA on the committee; Alan O’Hara is my alternate. See below for a list of union reps on this committee).
This bulletin goes on to state that presentations on retirement, personal finance or insurance also are not allowed on District property—other than by official representatives of the LAUSD 457(b) plan, CalSTRS and CalPERS (Click here for details and to ask for a rep to make a presentation on your campus. Anybody can request a presentation).
Per the bulletin, employees may not use District facilities such as telephones and fax machines to arrange appointments or discuss any phase of private insurance, annuities, 403(b)s or similar programs. They may not meet company representatives on District property. The only exception is authorized representatives of the LAUSD-sponsored 457(b) plan.
More information on deferred compensation plans can be found at http://benefits.lausd.net/403b-and-457b-deferred-compensation-plans. The authorized representatives of the District-sponsored 457(b) plan may be reached at the LAUSD 457(b) Deferred Compensation Office at (213) 241-3136.
About the author: Mr. Rumble is principal of Esperanza Elementary and serves as the AALA representation to LAUSD Investment Advisory Committee. He is one of several union reps listed below on this committee:
UTLA
Building-Trades Council
SEIU Local 99
Teamsters local 572
LASPA
Member-at-large
CFO
Benefits administration
and Board of Education rep
If your union is not listed and you are interested in becoming a rep or an alternate, please call (213) 241-3136. ALL unions are welcomed and encourage to send a rep. No financial background or experience is necessary.