Scott Allen, The Herald Journal

MONON — The North White school board accepted the retirements of nine teachers Monday after offering a contract buyout in an effort to ease the corporation’s budget woes.

“A lot of them have committed a long time to North White,” said Superintendent Nicholas Eccles. “A lot of them bleed blue and white and gold and I’m very happy for them that they’re willing to take that next step.”

The buyout, specific terms of which are confidential, offered the teachers incentive to retire early.

Board President Shannon Mattix explained their retirements could ease a budget that’s already been cut by 4.56 percent or $318,000 this year.

“This is a very smart way to cut general fund expenses without cutting staff,” said Mattix. “We have the money in the rainy day fund, and it’s raining, so we offered the buyout to our tenured staff.”