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NewsApril 13, 2000

JACKSON -- Public school officials will join others across the state in a scramble to replace retiring teachers in time for next school year. The Jackson Community Teachers Association will hold a dinner, reception and recognition ceremony for 15 retiring staff members tonight. The reception, which is open to the public, begins at 7 at the Upper KC Hall. The recognition ceremony follows at 7:30...

JACKSON -- Public school officials will join others across the state in a scramble to replace retiring teachers in time for next school year.

The Jackson Community Teachers Association will hold a dinner, reception and recognition ceremony for 15 retiring staff members tonight. The reception, which is open to the public, begins at 7 at the Upper KC Hall. The recognition ceremony follows at 7:30.

Jackson School District assistant superintendent Fred Jones is the only administrator retiring. His entire 34-year career has been spent in Jackson schools, from which he graduated. Other retirees include: Ruth Ann Allcock, Lloyd Banks, Gary Gay, Ray Haring, Nancy King, Charles Koch, Janet Koch, Dee Maupin, Lynnore Meyer, Judi Myer, Jean Ann Norman, Carole Pfeiffer, Bill Riser and Ed Sebaugh.

Jackson typically has about three retirees annually, so this year's loss will be a big hit for the growing district, which must replace the retirees as well as cover other openings. Some of the openings particularly in the secondary math and science, business and computer science areas will be more difficult to fill than others.

"You just have to work hard at hiring the best people available," said Superintendent Ron Anderson. "The key is getting started early on them."

Anderson said administrators started considering faculty needs in the fall, and interviews were scheduled early this spring "to get a jump on the tight teacher supply." The district also has increased advertising and attendance at job fairs, but nine of the positions have yet to be filled.

"Everybody's doing the same thing," said Anderson. "This is going to be a major scenario."

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The number of Missouri educators who retire annually has risen from 16,879 in 1990 to 23,386 in 1999. John Boudinot, assistant director of the Public School Retirement System (PSRS) of Missouri, said retirements are rising all over the state as a generation of educators hit retirement ages.

Educators born during the late 1940s through the early 1960s have put in enough time to retire, and many baby boomers have completed or are near completion of 30 years in the field, he said.

"It's a very attractive time for retirement," said Boudinot. "You start teaching at 22, you can have 30 years in by 52. We just have a bunch that are getting close to that magic age."

The average age of retiring educators in Missouri is 56.

All Missouri public schools and educators, with the exception of those covered by the St. Louis and Kansas City retirement systems, pay into PSRS instead of the federal Social Security system. The organization invests the money and monitors state retirement payouts.

After completing 30 years of full-time service in Missouri schools, teachers are eligible to receive 75 percent of their final average salary.

A change in state law last year has made early retirement more attractive for many Missouri teachers. Last year Missouri lawmakers passed the Rule of 80, which allows a teacher to basically add their age plus their years of credit. If that sum equals 80, then they can retire earlier with nearly the same benefit they would have if they waited until completion of 30 years of service.

"I think that's what has kind of hyped some people up," said Julie Walker, organizer of the Jackson CTA retirement banquet. "And I've heard a lot of them say want to get out while they still like their profession."

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