Early Retirement, Certificated POLICY NO: 454

Kellogg Joint School District No. 391 hereby implements a program for early retirement subject to the limitations as set forth below. Early retirement may serve two purposes:

1. It gives employees the opportunity to pursue other interest earlier. Teachers who feel the constant pressure of the teaching load now may voluntarily take advantage of earlier retirement.
2. The District may realize an advantage of replacing retiring teachers with lower-paid employees, which also gives a greater opportunity to beginning teachers when reduction of staff is necessary.

Any teacher in District No. 391 is eligible to participate in early retirement who meets the following criteria:

1. He/she has least five (5) years of full-time teaching or supervisory service in Idaho;
2. He/she has attained the age of fifty-five (55) years by August 1 of the school year during which the application is made; and
3. He/she was contracted for the next school year.

Administrators and non-certificated personnel may have the opportunity for early retirement on an individual basis if approved by the board of trustees and superintendent. In no case can anyone be considered for early retirement prior to reaching the age of fifty-five (55).

In order for an employee to be eligible to participate, he/she must indicate in writing by April 1 of a given calendar year his/her wish to receive early retirement.

Early retirement will be considered annually based first on age of the individual; second on a first-come, first-serve basis; third on years of service in the District; and fourth on the financial ability of the District to meet the request and such other factors as the District considers relevant in its discretion. If the board is not able in a given year to grant all requests, those employees not granted retirement must reapply the next year to be considered for early retirement. Any employee who retires without receiving early retirement benefits shall not thereafter be eligible for early retirement benefits.

Once it is determined that the board will grant an early retirement request, the district may then offer the employee a contract with such terms as is agreeable for termination of services and payment of an early retirement benefit.

Following is the benefit amount paid to an eligible participant:

Payment may be made in either of the two options:

1. Lump sum payment after August 31.
2. Payment may be made in two calendar years but must be paid within one year of retirement.

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ADOPTED: June 18, 1996

LEGAL REFERENCE: