Decorah School Board approves another Certified Early Retirement Plan

On a 3-1 vote Monday night the Decorah Community School Board approved another Certified Early Retirement Plan, comparable to the one offered two years ago, effective for next fall. Superintendent Mike Haluska argued that this was the best option the district had "to capture larger sums of money before cutting into class size and programs. Furthermore, the potential approval of this option will pave the way for potential other cuts for FY 2017."  Haluska said that because of under funding by the legislature for the last five years, Decorah Schools could be faced with possible general fund cuts of $600,000 in the next three years.

Making the decision now was needed for the complex budget planning purposes, and timelines related to staffing and potential reduction in force guidelines. Haluska said the letters to eligible certified staff would come out before Winter Break.

Brian Petersburg was the dissenting vote. He was concerned that such a move effectively reduces a pool of the best and most experienced teachers. The District was mostly on a cycle of such packages being offered every five years.