March 29, 2024

NCSD Board to discuss early retirement possibilities

Agenda for Monday meeting will also address sealed contracts

Consideration of an early retirement program is one of the few action items on the agenda for Monday’s Newton Community School District Board of Education meeting.

Monday’s meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. in the EJH Beard Administrative Center board room.

Early retirement, if any teachers or other longtime faculty decide to utilize it, is generally a cost-cutting measure for a company or organization. It allows some of the longest-tenured employees the freedom to leave with full retirement benefits intact, while also allowing the organization to either eliminate a position or reduce staffing levels or hire a less-experienced replacement at a lower pay rate.

Many other Iowa school districts are discussing similar programs. At last week’s Colfax-Mingo Board of Education meeting, board members were surprised to hear another mention of a program that they had shot down about a year ago, but a recent budget work session had come up with very limited ways to cut expenses, including early retirement.

Other items on Monday’s agenda include both discussion and action regarding the procedure for the opening and consideration of sealed bids.

Director of Special Programs Tina Ross, along with NCSD Board Vice President Robyn Friedman and board member Ann Leonard, will lead a discussion. The topic will be special education student services, staffing and funding.

There will also be a presentation on STEM innovation from Karla Cazett and Jodi Morgan-Peters of the STEM committee.

An attendance-percentage report is also slated. The consent agenda includes a fundraiser request from Newton High School’s Family and Consumer Science Department, which plans to use old uniforms to help create and stuff pillows to be sold.

Prior to Monday’s meeting, a 5:30 p.m. work session is scheduled to discuss Board Goal No. 2, related to parent engagement.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com