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Keokuk Schools Approve Early Retirements

Decades of experience will be leaving the Keokuk School District a little sooner than anticipated.

Six employees are taking advantage of the early retirement incentive offered this year.  The school board has approved their applications.

Between them, the six have more than 125-years of experience.

  • Katherine Davis - High School - Guidance Secretary - 20 years
  • Russ Derr - George Washington Elementary - Principal - 21 years
  • Mark Marsot - High School - Physical Education - 27 years
  • Nancy Meinhardt - Central Office - Administrative Assistant - 22 years
  • Donna Tracy - Hawthorne Elementary - Principal - 26 years
  • Carrye Williams - George Washington Elementary - Teacher Associate - 14 years

Superintendent Tim Hood said the district is offering the incentive for several reasons.
"You do it for a way to tell people thank you for working with our kids and doing a great job for us for all those years," said Hood.  "The second part of that is obviously helping balance your budget.”

Hood said the district is looking for $150,000 worth of savings this time around.  He said the first round of applicants account for about 60% of that total, so additional applications will still be accepted.

The maximum incentive available is $20,000, which would be paid over two years.  The retirements are set to take effect at the end of the school year.

Hood said by accepting them now, the district can begin the process of finding replacements.  He said the more time the better when it comes to finding two new administrators.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.