The Audubon Community School District is trying to reduce operating costs by offering some of their longer serving teachers a chance to retire early. Superintendent Brett Gibbs says they have offered this to their teachers before in the past, and there are laws regarding who can take advantage of it.
Gibbs says teacher salaries come out of their general funds, but early retirement comes out the management funds. This allows for the school to shift their costs to a different fund and lower costs elsewhere.
Gibbs says the last time they offered an early retirement package to their teachers not many instructors took advantage of it. They are hoping with their new offer more might opt in.
The school board decided seven would be the maximum number of teachers allowed to retire early. Four have already turned in and had their applications approved. Teachers wishing to join the early retirement program in Audubon will need to submit their decision to the board by Friday, Feb. 17.
