Cash Payment Prompts More Teacher Retirements

A total of 30 Cheshire teachers have taken advantage of a retirement
incentive offered to help balance the school budget. Teachers interested in the incentive had until the end of April to notify the district of their wish to retire either in June 2011 or 2012.

Superintendent of Schools Greg Florio said 19 teachers will be retiring at the end of this school year, about double the usual number.  Another 11 will retire at the end of next school year.

“It is definitely higher than typical. We’ve had some years where we’ve had 20 teachers retire, but that’s very rare,” he said. Usually, between 8 and 10 teachers retire in any given school year, he said.

Florio said the outgoing teachers are spread out across the district, with more retirements at the elementary level this year and a larger number leaving the high school next year. He said the district is seeking replacements for all the open positions.

The retirement incentive was part of a re-negotiated contract approved by the school board last month which spread out a negotiated 4.6 percent raise over two years in exchange for a promise of no teacher layoffs through 2012.

Under the incentive, eligible teachers who notified the district of their intent to retire by the end of 2011 will receive a $45,000 cash payment over three years or three years’ worth of medical benefits. Those retiring at the end of 2012 will receive two years’ worth of benefits or the cash equivalent.

“It was definitely a deciding factor for quite a number of teachers because we don’t get health benefits when we retire,” said Beverly Jurkiewicz, president of the Education Association of Cheshire, which represents the district’s 367 teachers.  She said the incentive was attractive to those who were eligible for retirement but not old enough to qualify for Medicare.

“I’m glad we were able to help out and help save jobs,” added Jurkiewicz, noting the retirements will help younger teachers retain their positions.

Florio estimates savings of about $15,000 per teacher, although school officials won’t have exact figures until the replacements are hired. The estimate is based on replacing the veteran teachers with younger, less experienced teachers at the lower end of the pay scale.

Florio said while he is not happy about losing so many qualified and experienced teachers, “given the financial times that we’re in, it does provide us with the flexibility that we need going forward.”

“There’s not a name on that list where I would say we want them to retire,” Florio said.