As expected, the Crookston School Board unanimously approved the teacher early retirement incentive at its meeting Monday. From July 1 through 10, 21 eligible teachers who are at least 55 years old and have taught at least 15 years in the district can officially accept the offer.
The incentive involves placing $10,000 into the retiring teacher’s post-retirement health savings account (HSA) on July 15, the date the state statute allowing the incentive expires. Depending on how many accept the offer, the district could save a significant amount of money on salaries by replacing experienced teachers with younger ones, who are paid less.
July 1 is the first day of the 2009-10 fiscal year, which means the retirements fall under that budget year, not the 2008-09 year as four previous retirees did. The retirements will go into effect immediately, however, which would give the district a window of a few weeks to hire replacements, said Board Chair Nick Nicholas.
According to the Crookston Education Association’s master contract with the school district, Business Manager Laura Lyczewski explained, the retirement severance package includes $35,000 – less 403B retirement account contributions in matching funds – to be deposited (evenly) into retirees’ HSA and 403B accounts over a five-year period on June 27, 2010 and on that date thereafter. Unpaid accumulated sick time, a maximum of $10,000 calculated at 183 possible days at $52.50 per day, would also be paid on June 27 of next year.
Teachers Kathy Bakken-Dryden and Dave Barnum asked for clarification on some issues pertaining to the incentive and retirement in general. Dave Davidson, president-elect of the CEA, was also present.
Barnum said that for some people, putting all the severance monies into an HSA would be of more benefit because it’s tax-free, as opposed to the monies placed in a 403B. While that may be true, Davidson pointed out, “you can’t take money out of a health savings account to buy a Harley and sail into the sunset if you so choose.”
When Barnum asked if it would be possible to change that portion of the contract so that teachers could choose their option, Davidson said it would be difficult if not impossible in the summer, with many CEA members unavailable to vote on such a measure.
“It would be best to find another way. We’ve got time on it,” he said.
Personnel, miscellaneous
• The board rehired Jeremy Lubinski, special education teacher at the high school, after previously laying him off because he lacks the proper certification, as required by law. Because he was hired on a variance, the district has had to go through the process each year of cutting the position, posting it and interviewing to determine the best candidate, said Superintendent Wayne Gilman.
“We feel he’s still the best person for the job,” he said.
Joni Burris, special education director, said Lubinski is working on getting his certification and should have it before the issue would come up next year.
• Chris Trostad, Crookston High School industrial technology teacher, was approved for 25 hours of summer employment at New Paths Area Learning Center. CHS Principal Todd Brist said this is a new position.
“The plan is to try to get the kids who didn’t complete classes during the school year to carry over work they have and finish it so they can earn credit,” he said.
• The board approved a contract with the University of North Dakota for two special education consulting interns for the coming year at approximately $16,000 each. Burris noted the funding would come from federal stimulus monies and would not cost the district anything. While this contract is for one year, it could lead to more contracting of services.
• The board approved creating a new literacy coordinator position for the district.
• As part of the plan to cut costs in the food service area, four employees were terminated: Sandra Skornika, Cathy Trandem, Linnea Genereux and Christine Willert.
• Elementary Aide Denise Niemela’s resignation was accepted.
• A donation of a Ricoh printer, Olympus digital camera and Acer laptop computer from Dr. Idatonye Afonya was accepted.
Crookston —
