The West Burlington School District plans to maintain a benefit for its teachers.
The school board has approved the first reading of the district’s latest installment of its early retirement incentive.
The incentive consists of a cash payment for unused sick-leave and continued health insurance until a teacher is eligible for Medicare.
Superintendent Dave Schmitt said the pending proposal actually differs from previous offers.
He said the eligibility age has been cut from 59 to 55 and the district’s contribution to the health insurance policy from 95% to 85%.
“So we are offering the policy a little bit longer,” said Schmitt, “but the insurance benefits are just a little bit less so we think that is a fair balance for those who are looking at early retirement and also keeping the integrity of our finances at West Burlington Schools.”
Schmitt said the board could finalize the incentive this month.
He says 2-3 teachers are eligible for next year.
Schmitt says the application deadline is February 15.
There are other incentives in place for administrators and for non-teachers.