Brown County Schools offering teachers early retirement

By Laura Lane, Herald-Times

llane@heraldt.com

NASHVILLE - As school officials in Monroe County try to figure out how to cut more than $4 million from this year's budget because of revenue shortfalls, area rural counties are looking for ways to do a similar job without adversely affecting the quality of their public education.

Brown County Schools Superintendent David Shaffer said hard choices will be made as his district works to trim $600,000 from a $15.5 million budget.

During a recent retreat to discuss the financial mess, Shaffer said all options were discussed.

And on Thursday night, his school board approved an early-retirement option that is being offered to the corporation's 142 teachers. He said 10 teachers will be able to take advantage of the plan and will be given a $25,000 one-time cash incentive.