(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday, discussed the likelihood of offering an early retirement incentive plan. In the past, the matter was brought up for discussion every three-years.  Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen noted it’s been a while since they offered the Early Retirement incentives.

Johnsen said at this time, the District is looking at the possibility of adding staff in positions that currently are not offered, and in positions where extra staff are needed.

Dr. Johnsen says her past experiences in dealing with Early Retirement plans, have seen personnel considering the change having served 20-years in their district. The number of retirements is traditionally capped at five per school year. She said 55 “Is a solid age” before it is often considered, but the Board can choose the number of years of service. “Lot’s of times,” she said “it’s continuous service, too.” The main benefit to offering the plan, she said, is cost-savings to the District. Johnsen said that’s evident in spread-sheet of information compiled by ACSD Director of Finance, Lisa Jones.

Board President Laura McLean said in the past, “The Board would chose to do this working around a situation where we needed to save money…like it’s almost a way of reducing staff without having to fire people.” Kristy Pellett explained it was used as a great tool for those years when the District was faced with declining enrollment.

Dr. Johnson said the proposal would be sent to all staff members, with a deadline for those who qualify to submit their request for early retirement, and so many days after the application is turned in, for them to change their mind.

Kristy Pellett says the district has an early notification policy that offers money to those who make their intentions to retire known before early retirement is offered. Superintendent Johnsen explained…

No action was taken on implementing an early retirement incentive plan during Wednesday’s Atlantic School Board meeting. The Board is expected to make it an action item at a future meeting.
In other business, the Atlantic School Board also discussed offering the Aviation Program to students outside the district and other matters, but also took no action at this time.