The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, discussed but took no action an early retirement package. As we mentioned earlier this week, the early retirement incentive may be offered to teachers who have at least 10-years of full-time service to the district, and are 55-years of age or older. Currently, that may be as many as 21 teachers/staff, but the board would likely limit the offer to 10 people. Superintendent Steve Barber said a pattern of declining enrollment over the past five-years including the current school year, means the Board will need to consider offering early retirement, or consider making cuts in the 2019-2020 school year.

The school he said is experiencing a loss of 17.75 students this year, all factors considered. Barber said that means a new money loss to the district next year of $128,000. An early retirement plan, if offered, he said, would serve not only as a way for the district to show its appreciation to its staff for their years of service, but it would also act as a “budgetary tool.”  If offered, teachers choosing to take the incentive would receive $25,000, over a three-year period, paid into what is called a “Health Reimbursement Arrangement.” That would allow participants to continue their health insurance as long as they pay the monthly premiums.

The money to pay for this program would come out from the management fund and would free-up funds available in the general fund, based on lower salaries for starting teachers. And, in some cases the district may opt to not fill the position. Steve Barber warned that the district may need to look at cutting positions if an early retirement incentive isn’t offered, or if it isn’t enough to positively impact the General Fund.

In other business, Wednesday, the Atlantic School Board approved contract recommendations for Craig Fredin as JV Girls Basketball Coach, Andrea Reilly as STEM Coordinator and teacher, and Derek Hall as Freshman Boys Basketball Coach. They also approved several action items, including: a new policy for Assistance Animals, to authorize Miniature horses as a federally recognized service animal; a new policy dealing with how public complaints are handled, and a revised policy pertaining to public participation in Board meetings, to name a few.