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During the Montana State Fair this year, as fairgoers munched on Vikings, CowPie burgers, and Footlong Corn Dogs, GFPS educators (and GFEA members) were assisting students with an important job. Teachers Pat Volkmar, Jenn Volkmar, Roger Spring and Andrew Nagengast all worked with Middle School students at the Grizz Biz/Ram Enterprises booth at the fair. The students were selling hand crafted items. The student-run business concept Iin the middle school began at North, spearheaded by Pat Volkmar. This past year Pat brought the concept to East Middle School. Well done teachers and students!
GFEA Member Chris Evans and CMR Drama are working this summer, despite no class being in session. CMR Drama marched in and sold water at the 4th of July Parade, have been actively selling Truck Rffle Tickets for the GFPS Foundation, and are already working on decorations for CMR's homecoming.
GFEA members are active for kids year round! Read more about Chris on the new "Our Members" page Internal Revenue Service – Retirement Distribution Letters
It has come to our attention that a number of our employees are receiving information from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that indicates they received a retirement distribution from Great Falls Public Schools in 2017. The District does not issue retirement distributions, so these letters are clearly incorrect as we do not send out these forms. We are working with the IRS to determine the cause of this problem. Initially, the information was sent to a few people who worked for the District in 2013, but since then, current employees have been receiving the IRS information as well. We have been working with the IRS Fraud Department since April to resolve this matter. We have been directed by the IRS to provide our employees a letter from the District that indicates the employee did not receive a retirement distribution from Great Falls Public Schools. Ideally, the IRS would provide us a list of our employees who will be receiving the letter, but as of yet, they have not released that information. If you have received a letter from the IRS, please contact Katie Allen (6064) in the Payroll Department. She will provide you with a letter from the school district to be sent to the IRS. The letter indicates the school district did not issue the 1099-R forms. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused you and thank you for your consideration as we both work through this situation. Updates will be provided as we learn additional information on this matter. Brian Patrick Director of Business Operations Great Falls Public Schools GFEA members,
It has come to our attention the IRS has sent letters to many people associated with the Great Falls Public Schools indicating that they received a retirement distribution in 2017 (1099-R) from the District. People receiving this letter range from retired, current, and student workers, those contributing to TRS, PERS and those never contributing to a retirement system such as the student workers. The District does not do retirement distributions, so these letters are clearly incorrect. To date the District has been in contact with the IRS fraud department, TRS, PERS, Department of Revenue and their auditors. Unfortunately, at this time, there is not a clear answer as to why these letters were sent. If you received one of these letters, the IRS has asked that you send a letter written on District letterhead stating that you did not receive a retirement distribution from GFPS in 2017. GFPS has a form letter they are sharing for you to send. If you need a copy of this letter you can contact Katie Allen, GFPS lead payroll technician, at either 268-6063 or 268-6064. You can also contact me for assistance. We appreciate your understanding and kindness to those attempting to investigate and resolve this issue. Shelli Lavinder Schwalk NC1 Field Consultant |
