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The board offered the one-time early retirement program, called "Temporary Separation Incentive Policy," in January in anticipation of a reduction in state aid to McCook's school district. That reduction, Superintendent Grant Norgaard reported Monday evening, will be approximately $307,959.
After a one-hour closed session to discuss personnel and the retirement buyouts, the board approved and ratified these teachers' applications for participation in the one-time retirement buyout:
Linda Crandall, journalism at McCook High School, 12 years with MPS.
Sandra Weigel, high school vocal music, 23 years.
Ron Barger, automotive technology, 32 years.
Dennis Kennelly, MHS Spanish, 21 years.
Evie Caldwell, Central Elementary vocal music, 10 years.
Janet Applegarth, McCook Elementary, 38 years.
Diana Robinson, McCook Elementary, 23 years.
Kay Neuhaus, Central Elementary, 28 years.
Charlie Coleman, McCook Elementary vocal music, 30 years.
Theresa Shiers, Title I, 13 years.
Thirty MPS teachers and administrators were eligible to participate in the program.
The one-time TSIP program was offered to MPS certificated staff members and administrators who are at least 55 years of age on or before Aug. 15, 2010, with at least six years of continuous service to the school district. Board members calculated each teacher's benefit using this formula:
1. $1,200 times the FTE (full-time equivalent) years of service with MPS, plus,
2. $20 times the accumulated sick leave days at the end of the 2009-10 school year, plus,
3. $4,000 if the employee has 6-10 years FTE years of service.
$6,000 if the employee has 11-15 FTE years of service.
$8,000 if the employee has 16-20 FTE years of service.
$10,000 if the employee has 21 or more FTE years of service.
Benefits will be paid on or before Jan. 20, 2011.
The program includes a provision that requires a portion of the settlement payment be repaid if the employee is rehired within five years; this provision does not apply to substitute teaching.
An employee choosing to participate in the TSIP cannot also participate in the retirement incentive plan offered in the McCook Public Schools Teacher Negotiations Agreement effective for the 2009-10 contract year that sunsets in 2012.
The TSIP is designed to replace a long-term, higher-paid teacher/administrator nearing retirement with a lesser-paid teacher/administrator. According to the MPS salary schedule, based on a 185-day school year, the beginning salary of a certificated teacher with a bachelor of arts degree and no additional hours is $30,043.
For several years, the McCook board of education has set aside money earmarked only for early retirement, which now totals approximately $425,000.
Finance director Rick Haney said that the early buyout incentive program "is truly a benefit to tax payers," as it replaces a more expensive staff member at the upper end of the salary schedule with a less-expensive rehire.
The savings will be seen the first year, he said, explaining that one retiree costing the district $80,000 could be replaced with someone costing much less.
Norgaard said that, with the retirement of the 10 applicants, the school district could save at least $400,000 the first year.
This is a long-term savings, both Haney and Norgaard explained, with the retirements allowing savings in personnel costs for years to come, as the new hires progress upward on the salary scale.
The retirements also give the district the opportunity to shift/reassign existing staff members, to create a part-time position instead of a full-time position, or not to refill a vacant position.
In other business, the board accepted resignations from Matt Owens, industrial technology, 1 1/2 years; Elizabeth Yilk, Resource teacher, McCook Elementary, five years; and Bev Hoyt, English and writing at Central Elementary, 4 years.
The board officially and unanimously "adopted" the TeamMates mentoring program, but not without a couple members airing some reservations about TeamMates money that will now be funneled through the school district's activities fund.
The TeamMates program has about $30,000 left of a $323,829 three-year grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education in April 2008.
Board member Shane Messersmith called TeamMates "an awesome program," saying that kids should come first, and alluding to "someone lining their own pockets" with that portion of the grant already spent.
Fellow board member Diane Lyons was concerned that neither the school board nor school administration would have control over TeamMates money although it is in a school budget fund. And, she asked, who will be financially responsible for the program when the grant funds run out?
Dennis Berry, president of the TeamMates board, told board members that if the school does not adopt the TeamMates program, the remaining $30,000 "goes away." Berry admitted that previously a TeamMates director was paid a "very generous stipend"-- $30,000 a year, but that it was reduced annually. Early on in the grant, Berry said, a "big chunk" was spent on salaries, on training and on a recruiter to find mentors. Berry said some of these expenditures were stipulated by the grant. "We're not hiding it," he said.
But, Berry said, "We're talking money instead of kids. If money is the hold-up, let's not do it. What we're wanting is a place to put the $30,000 so the program can continue." TeamMates in McCook has 48 pairs of mentors and mentees.
Stacey Priebe, TeamMates treasurer, told board members that the $30,000 can last the program four to five years. When the $30,000 is gone, then the school will have the opportunity to fund the program so that it continues, he said.
Priebe said the TeamMates board continues to sponsor fund-raisers and to apply for additional grants.
Rick Haney, MPS finance director, said he sees no problem with TeamMates money in the schools' activities fund. "Let TeamMates determine who is paid what," although he added, he and Mr. Norgaard would step in if they didn't approve of how the money was being spent. "We value this program," he said. "We need its money to last to help the program continue."
Berry said TeamMates itself has oversight of all program grant funding on the state and federal levels.
MPS board president Tom Bredvick said, "It's their money for four to five years, for our kids."
With the current recession and economic conditions, Haney said, the McCook school system would have no money available to fund such a program itself for possibly three to four years anyway.
Maury Green told fellow board members that they should not allow prejudices over money received and spent in the past "color how we move forward." He called Messersmith's statement about "someone lining their pockets" "an unfair statement." Messersmith said, "But we need to learn from our mistakes." Green replied, "No one told me there were any mistakes."
The vote to adopt the TeamMates program was unanimous.
The board of education added 15 minutes to the school day starting with the 2010-2011 school year, during approval of next year's school calendar.
Now, class at McCook Elementary and Central Elementary starts at 8:10 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. Class at McCook Junior High and Senior High starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m.
With the adjustment to maintain class time and allow teacher in-service, class will start five minutes earlier, at 8:05 a.m., at the elementary schools, and remain at 8 a.m. at the junior and senior highs. All buildings will get out at 3:30 p.m.
"This is a good increase," Norgaard said, "adding five to six days of instructional time," allowing cushion for snow days as well.
The lengthened calendar adds about a week for seniors, moving the last day of class for seniors to May 11 and graduation to May 15. The last day of class for other students will be May 20.
In other action:
* The board approved new and revised Nebraska Department of Education math standards, and administrators will align the MPS curriculum to the new standards.
* The board accepted a donation of $800 from McDonald's Restaurant earmarked for McCook Elementary. McCook Elementary Principal Lynda Baumbach laughed and told board members, "This is not just a donation. We worked hard. Cars were lined up outside and people were lined up to the door."
She continued, "We were very busy. We ran out of salads."
* Norgaard and Haney reported on a teacher recruiting trip they made to Chadron State College. "Everyone wanted to talk to McCook," Norgaard said. "It was very effective ... very productive." Haney said interested CSU Students "were lined up" at the McCook booth. "We were the last school to leave," he said. "We left and they shut off the lights."
* MHS Student Council members Jayde Aufrecht and Alan Goodenberger reported that StuCo members manned concession stands for 14 nights as fund-raisers, read to elementary students during "Read Across America" and signed up to help at family fun night Friday, March 19, at McCook Elementary.
During "Positive Comments," board members:
* Becky Goodenberger, student representative to the board, said she enjoyed a visit by Nebraska Sen. Mark Christensen in Brent May's government classes.
* Maury Green said he was impressed with performances by MHS dance team and cheerleaders. He recognized the girls' and their sponsor Donita Priebe's commitment of time.
* Shane Messersmith called the third grade music program "awesome," and recognized Coach Nick Umscheid's wrestlers and wrestler Nate Morgan's undefeated season.
* Diane Lyons recognized bus driver Rod Peters, calling him "a delight. He loves these children as his own." She also recognized those organizing the family fun night at McCook Elementary.
* Scott Johnson enjoyed "Read across America," and recognized teacher/coach Chad Lyons, who was a referee at the girls state basketball tournament.
* Larry Shields said he appreciated the presentation by TeamMates supporters, and thanked them for their time. He also recognized FFA members who qualified for state contests.
* Rick Haney complimented Norgaard on his aggressiveness with recruitment efforts and his search for quality staff members.
* Tom Bredvick was impressed with the drum line that performed during a home basketball game. "It was the most amazing performance," he said. "Outstanding." He also said it was exciting to see that his younger son thought his older brother was "cool" to read to his classroom during "Read across America."
* Norgaard also said he was impressed with Charlie Coleman's third grade music program, and said that the junior high celebrated recently because ITBS and other measures have shown a significant growth, especially in vocabulary.
* Lynda Baumbach said she thoroughly enjoyed teacher Mary Dueland's portrayal of "Farmer McBroom" during McCook Elementary's celebration of Nebraska's birthday on March 1.