Ironwood schools offer retirement incentive for district teachers

By RICHARD JENKINS

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Ironwood — In a bid to save money, the Ironwood Area Public Schools Monday approved offering a financial incentive to teachers who decide to retire this month.

According to information presented to the board, the district will offer a total of $15,000 per teacher who decides to retire by March 31.

“We set a specific date, basically, (so) that when we have to replace somebody, the schools are still in and we have a chance to make sure we get some good people,” board President Steve Thomas said, regarding the reason for the short deadline. “Instead of running around in the summertime and potentially picking over the left-overs.”

Superintendent Tim Kolesar gave an immediate example of the benefit of setting the deadline this month, telling the board the district will likely be able to attend a career fair at Northern Michigan University April 16 and interview the school’s teaching graduates for any open positions.

The money will be made in three payments over the next three years, according Thomas, and will only be paid if at least four people submit their retirement papers by the deadline.

Payments would be made in January for the next three years, according to board President Pro-Tem Ed Rickard, so as not to impact this year’s budget.

The agreement is for this year only and doesn’t compel the district to offer incentives in future years, Kolesar said.

Given the difference in pay between the retiring teachers and their newly hired replacements, the district is expected to save money — even with the incentives.

Rickard said the district could see as much as $20,000 in savings per teacher.

According to information provided to the board, the faculty’s negotiating committee has already agreed to the proposal and the board’s approval Monday means a letter of understanding will be added to the current contract with the union representing the district’s teachers.