The Carroll Community School District (CCSD) Board of Education opened initial discussions on the possibility of offering a voluntary retirement incentive for the district’s most senior staff. The district last offered voluntary early retirement at the end of the 2020-2021 school year. Superintendent Dr. Casey Berlau explains the eligibility requirements they used at that time.
Under the previously offered incentive, staff received a lump sum payment calculated based on time with the district and capped at $20,000. Historically, districts have offered voluntary early retirement as a budgetary tool to reduce General Fund expenses, which is where salaries are paid out of, by encouraging older and often higher-paid staff to retire via payment through the Management Fund.
Berlau adds his other concern with offering voluntary retirement this year is the recent difficulties CCSD and other schools have had filling open positions.
Board member Duane Horsley notes the board does have discretion regarding how many staff members could receive the benefit and how much would be offered.
The board did not take any formal action on the topic last night (Monday), but the issue is expected to return to the agenda during next month’s meeting.
