Board examines pros/cons of early retirement incentives

Superintendent Perdue provided an overview of the district's current early retirement policy and asked the Board to consider the following four options as they move forward with their discussion on this topic:
ï Should the district continue with the current early retirement incentive program?
ï Should the district simply provide an ongoing, annual retirement program which is non-incentive based?
ï Should the district develop a new incentive-based early retirement plan?
ï Should the district discontinue the early retirement program?

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BETTENDORF COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BETTENDORF, IOWA

Unofficial Minutes of the January 6, 2001, Retreat Meeting

1. Call to Order

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, state of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for their retreat meeting at the Ray Stensvad Administration Center, 3311 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, Iowa, on January 6, 2001. President Roski called the meeting to order at 8:00 a.m. Board members recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.

Members present: Directors Anderson, Arney, Castro, Luton, Roski, Wahlstrand, Weigle.
Members absent: None.
Other officials present: John Perdue, Superintendent; Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Paul Bobek, Executive Director of Business Affairs, Judy Miller, Director of Human Resources; Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary.

2. Agenda Approval.

Motion by Director Wahlstrand, seconded by Director Castro, to approve the agenda as presented.

Ayes: 7 Directors Anderson, Arney, Castro, Luton, Roski, Wahlstrand, Weigle.
Nays: 0 Motion carried 7-0.

3. AEA Quality Review.

Glenn Pelecky, Chief Administrator of the Mississippi Bend AEA, distributed a packet containing a variety of information on programs and service provided to the district. He also shared a recent customer survey comparing, BettendorfÌs staff responses to other customersÌ responses in the AEA district. A breakdown of the state and federal flow-through dollars by division, illustrating the return for services, was also outlined.

Patrick VanNevel, Board Treasurer, arrived at 8:05 a.m.

The AEA administrative staff highlighted programs and services being utilized by Bettendorf staff and students. These reports included special education, organizational planning, administrative services, research and development, and general education services, noting their underlying goal of improving student achievement.

President Roski inquired as to the recent discussion on AEA reorganization and consolidation across the state and the negative impact this may have on services provided to Bettendorf. If this were to occur, Director Roski stated the Board may chose to reallocate current funding. Mr. Pelecky stressed the need for reorganization in specific areas throughout the state but did not feel AEA 9 would be impacted directly by these potential changes.

Superintendent Perdue and directors stated their appreciation for the AEAÃŒs review of services and expressed their thanks to Tom Melinik for sharing the AEA meeting minutes and notes on a regular basis. A SIS update will be provided by Mr. Joe Coons at the March 5 Board meeting.

The Board recessed at 8:57 a.m. and reconvened at 9:05 a.m.

4. Early Retirement Discussion.

Superintendent Perdue provided an overview of the district's current early retirement policy and asked the Board to consider the following four options as they move forward with their discussion on this topic:
Should the district continue with the current early retirement incentive program?
Should the district simply provide an ongoing, annual retirement program which is non-incentive based?
Should the district develop a new incentive-based early retirement plan?
Should the district discontinue the early retirement program?

Paul Bobek, Executive Director of Business Affairs, reviewed the historical summary, highlighting the number of eligible retirees to participating retirees, benefit dollars, and replacement savings. The financial impact of early retirement on property taxes, the estimated eligible retirees for 2002-2006, and potential costs of health insurance benefits to retirees were also outlined.

Judy Miller, Director of Human Resources, shared with directors correspondence sent to eligible early retirees, comparative early retirement plans of neighboring school districts, IPERS law changes, and age discrimination laws impacting policy statements.

Following a lengthy discussion, directors opted to defer any formal action on the early retirement until June 4, 2001. By this time, the legislators will have completed their session, decisions related to all-day kindergarten, smaller class size, and settlements will be determined. At the June 4 meeting, cost effectiveness of the three-year plan will be evaluated, comparative retirement plans and their effectiveness will be reviewed, directors will decide whether or not to have an early retirement plan and will chart the direction of the new plan, if needed. A communication will be sent to all eligible retirees, specifying expiration of a three-year retirement plan and uncertainty for a future plan.

The Board recessed at 11:00 a.m. and reconvened at 11:10 a.m..

5. Closed Session.

Motion by Director Castro, seconded by Director Luton, to go into closed session in accordance with Iowa Code section 21.5(1)(i), for the purpose of evaluating the professional competency of individuals whose appointment, hiring, performance or discharge are being considered, when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to those individualsÌ reputations and those individuals request a closed session.

Ayes: 7 Directors Arney, Castro, Luton, Roski, Wahlstrand, Weigle, Anderson.
Nays: 0 Motion carried 7-0.

The Board entered closed session at 11:11 a.m.

Directors returned to open session at 12:06 p.m.

6. SuperintendentÃŒs Report.

Next Agenda Planning. Superintendent Perdue asked directors for their interest in reviewing the five-year PPEL plan at the February 15 meeting. Directors concurred. Additionally, Director Luton will lead the discussion on declining enrollment and attendance center boundaries at the February 15 meeting. Directors advised a communication be developed and sent out, further clarifying the intent of this discussion.

President Roski encouraged directors to attend the National School Board Convention in San Diego
March 24-27.

The annual AEA banquet in scheduled for January 16, with the keynote speaker addressing the topic of student assessment. Director Roski will represent the Board at this banquet. If anyone else has an interest in attending, please notify Superintendent Perdue as soon as possible.

7. Adjournment.

Motion by Director Castro to adjourn the meeting at 12:20 p.m.