MONROE - Monroe teachers and non-administrative professional staff will have another year to take advantage of early retirement before the benefit sunsets, the Monroe school board decided Monday.
The benefit was previously scheduled to sunset June 30, but will now carry through June 30, 2017.
Board members said the extension was fair to staff and would allow them to make an informed decision about retirement.
"It certainly would be respectful of staff ... and at the same time give us a chance to get it right," said board member Mary Berger.
District Administrator Cory Hirsbrunner said she recommended the extension because the Employee Relations Committee hasn't had time to talk about retirement benefits yet. The ERC plans to evaluate alternative retirement benefit solutions in the next year.
The benefit extension applies to members of the Monroe Education Association and non-administrative professional staff.
What the extension will cost the district is unknown, as it depends on how many staff members use the benefit. Brian Keith, the board's treasurer, said the ERC "would've done something so we can be competitive," if not the extension, and will start investigating what other districts are offering.
- Susan Endres
The benefit was previously scheduled to sunset June 30, but will now carry through June 30, 2017.
Board members said the extension was fair to staff and would allow them to make an informed decision about retirement.
"It certainly would be respectful of staff ... and at the same time give us a chance to get it right," said board member Mary Berger.
District Administrator Cory Hirsbrunner said she recommended the extension because the Employee Relations Committee hasn't had time to talk about retirement benefits yet. The ERC plans to evaluate alternative retirement benefit solutions in the next year.
The benefit extension applies to members of the Monroe Education Association and non-administrative professional staff.
What the extension will cost the district is unknown, as it depends on how many staff members use the benefit. Brian Keith, the board's treasurer, said the ERC "would've done something so we can be competitive," if not the extension, and will start investigating what other districts are offering.
- Susan Endres