Travis Sturgill, Madison Courier Staff Writer

Seven elementary school employees, including the principal and assistant principal, are expected to submit their resignations for retirement from Southwestern Jefferson County Schools during the board meeting Monday.

Southwestern Schools Superintendent Stephen Telfer said Principal Steven Fleenor and Assistant Principal Cynthia Smoots, as well as fourth-grade teachers Catherine Corbin and Linda Firth, are expected to retire at the end of the current school year.

The retirements are the result of an early retirement incentive plan Telfer proposed in February to help cut $500,000 in spending from the school's general fund.

The need for the incentives and other budget cuts came after Gov. Mitch Daniels honored the state Board of Education's recommendation to cut $300 million from the state's public education budget.

The recommendation is an effort curb a projected $1.8 billion revenue shortfall expected in the two-year budget plan passed by the legislature in June 2009.

Telfer said the principal and assistant principal positions would be replaced by qualified candidates.

The two fourth-grade teaching positions, as well as a special-education position and a physical education position that will be vacated by retirements will not be filled, Telfer said.

"The goal is to not replace as many as possible," Telfer said.

After the resignations for retirement are submitted, board members will decide whether to approve.

If retirement for the principal and assistant principal is approved, Telfer said he would have recommendations for their replacements ready by the next board meeting in April.

Teachers and administrators had to meet certain criteria before they could be eligible for early retirement.

Candidates must have been at least age 55 with 12 years of service at Southwestern, or at least age 50 with 25 years of service.

Employees with 12 years service at the school who had been receiving disability payments from an long-term care provider were also eligible. The position of middle school and high school band director Ruth Nickels, who is on disability, is on the list of 10 resignations for retirement.

The elementary school head cook is also expected to submit a request to retire at the end of the school year, as are a middle and high school cafeteria cook and a bus driver.