Retirement incentives accepted by five high school teachers

In an attempt to cut expenditures without cutting more programs, the Onaway Area Community Schools Board of Education approved a retirement incentive packages for five high school teachers with 30 or more years of experience.

The incentive offered was for each retiring teacher to receive annual installments of $5,000 per year for eight consecutive years, totaling $40,000 per year.

The five eligible retirees, Chuck Abshagen, Janet Anderson, Ann Haskill, Pat Schell, and Jackie Brown, all submitted their letters of resignation to superintendent Bob Szymoniak prior to Monday’s school board meeting, contingent upon the boards approval of the buyout packages.

“Though there is a significant savings when replacing retiring teachers with new teachers, the savings does not generate enough money to keep the district from its downward spiral of spending more money than it takes in,” said Szymoniak.

THE ADMINISTRATION and board will be looking for ways to not replace at least one of these teachers, and perhaps more, to create more significant savings. This matter is expected to be discussed further at the board’s February 28 workshop session.

“We have declining enrollment and the staffing we have built up, was built up when our population was much higher and as the numbers have been decreasing, we can’t maintain the same level of staffing as we have in the past,” said Szymoniak. “So as we lose students it only makes sense that over time, we also would lose staff and it is nice that we can do it through attrition this way, rather than talking about layoffs as many schools are.”

With all five eligible teachers retiring, the district would spend a total of $25,000 per year in retirement incentives while saving a total of $130,000 per year through the hiring of less expensive teachers. These savings are after the incentives are paid out. There would be an $80,000 savings realized for each teacher who is not replaced.

SZYMONIAK SAID the incentives would save more than $1 million during the life of the incentive payout. “As regrettable as it is to see my high school teachers go,” said high school principal Matt Lukshaitis. “The bottomline is that it will save programs at the high school in the long run. I’m happy about that for the kids.”

Szymoniak said there is a possibility a program may be added, instead of cut as was the case last year when several programs fell victim to the budget ax. “I’m hopeful that this retirement incentive will just get us to the mark that the board would like to see us at,” said Szymoniak.

It’s the second year in a row retirement packages have been offered, but probably the last for some time. The next person on the seniority list has 21 years of experience.

“SO WE’RE not looking at another retirement for another nine years,” said Szymoniak. “These ar

e very difficult times and the school board does like the idea of offering money to our most senior teachers enticing them to retire.

“The five teachers in question have been valuable members of our school community and well be very much missed. The board of education, administration, and teaching colleagues wish them well in retirement.”

The superintendent’s recommendation was motioned for approval and supported, allowing the matter to discussed. Board vice president Jeff Whitsitt had some reservations, but voted for the proposal because the district is in a unique situation.

“I’m not in favor of golden parachutes,” Whitsitt said. “Under normal circumstances, I would not favor it at all. Under these circumstances I’m resigned to them.” The decision is expected to help close a $500,000 budget gap.

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