School Board Sweetens Early Retirement Deal With $18,000 Perk

The West Des Moines school board thinks it can close a projected $1.9 million budget gap with an early retirement package approved by the school board.

The district has sweetened the deal in hopes of increasing participation in the program, offering a one-time lump sum of $18,000, the Des Moines Register reports. That’s on top of provision that allows veteran employees to cash in unused sick leave when they retire.

Carol Seid, the interim associate superintendent of human resources, said reductions will likely be necessary in the 2014-2015 school budget and making them through attrition would be more effective.

The early retirement package would allow the district to replace employees who are retiring early with lower-paid employees, Interim Superintendent Lisa Remy said.

To to eligible for the early retirement package, employees must be 55 by June 30 and must have worked for the district for at least the last 10 years. About 200 district employees are eligible for the program.