INCENTIVE FOR RETIREMENT A GOOD IDEA FOR SCHOOLS

The Cape Girardeau Public School District is trying to crack a tough nut. Through a broad examination of its fiscal structure and needs, the district has aimed at trimming $1.4 million from its budget. It attempts to do so without adversely affecting the quality of its academic offerings. To accomplish this, officials must be willing to tighten belts and be more than a little innovative. Both of these qualities are evident in the school board's approval last week of a retirement incentive plan.

In times of greater fiscal health, the flaws of this plan would be more pronounced. The fundamental weakness is that it motivates productive and experienced teachers, perhaps some of the best in the system, to exit their professions early. As a preference, we'd like to see quality educators stay on the job as long as they are willing. Luring them from the classroom ahead of their desires doesn't seem sensible in ordinary circumstances.

However, circumstances now are extraordinary. No major budget reduction can be achieved without personnel cutbacks as a component. Through a one-time incentive offer, teachers meeting certain criteria can retire with a bonus (ranging from $20,000-$25,000) in hand. There are also provisions that allow the retiring teachers to remain on the district's health care plan. The incentive idea, a well-traveled one in the private sector, hastens and organizes a rotation of employees. With the Cape Girardeau district, some of the positions will be left vacant. Those that are refilled will likely go to teachers at a lower level on the salary scale. Either way, savings are effected.

The important thing to point out with this program is that it provides an option for teachers who are considering retirement. It mandates nothing, and teachers wanting to stay in the profession face no obligation to do otherwise. Without the program in place, these same teachers will ultimately retire but in a more scattered fashion; the program permits a greater degree of management, results in budget savings and possibly saves some teachers from job termination.

As the school district feels its way through tricky economic times, it will run across ideas that are not healthy to curricular needs, not sensitive to employee desires or generally not worthy of consideration. The retirement incentive plan is a good idea that shows the district isn't approaching its budget-cutting task with a meat-ax mentality.