Perry Central seeks early teacher retirements

LEOPOLD - Perry Central School Board members approved an incentive plan last Monday in hopes of obtaining the early retirements of up to four teachers. The move is similar to offers made by other Hoosier school districts and is a cost-saving measure taken in the face of reduced funding.

Like most Hoosier schools, Perry Central is facing the loss of state revenue and school officials have said about $300,000 needs to be trimmed from its 2010 budget to maintain a healthy cash balance.

A written summary of the one-time retirement incentive approved March 15 acknowledges, "the extraordinary financial constructs facing Perry Central in order to avoid the possibility of a reduction in force."

A Perry Central teacher giving written notice of early retirement effective at the end of the 2009-10 school year will receive a retirement benefit of $12,000 in addition to other retirement and health-care benefits under the master contract with teachers.

Schools Superintendent Mary Roberson said the offer is limited to the first four teachers, two each from elementary and high-school staffs, who submit letters of participation.

The early-retirement offer will expire March 26.