Early retirement package approved for teachers

All three involved school boards – North Winneshiek, Decorah Community, and the Interim Decorah Community School Board – have now approved an early retirement package for this year.  One North Winneshiek and twelve Decorah  teachers are eligible for the package, having reached the age of 55 and a combination of years of service plus age to equal at least 80. The  plan parallels earlier Decorah retirement packages, last offered in 2013-14. 
Generally, the package provides one half year of the teacher's annual salary to be divided over 3 years, and up to 8 years of health insurance benefits valued at approximately $7500 per year.

Teachers will be notified regarding their eligibility this week, and will need to respond to the District by January 11.

Usually school districts implement early retirement programs in a effort to save money. How much money will be saved in this offering is not known, but a major driving factor for the package is to reduce the potential of "pink slipping" any teachers as North Winneshiek teachers transition into the Decorah schools next year when the districts complete their merger.