GF schools approve 18 staff for early retirement

Eighteen employees of the Grand Forks School system will be allowed to participate in the final year of the district’s early retirement program.  The school board approved the applications this week without discussion.

The board opted to end Policy 4300 at the end of the year due to budget concerns.  The program allows eligible staff to receive four equal payments based on years of service.  It was once viewed as a cost-savings program by allowing veteran teachers to be replaced by younger teachers at a lower salary.

The 18 employees carry the equivalent of $1.5 million dollars in salary.  The annual payout will be just over $306 thousand dollars.  Among the early retirees is Associate Superintendent Jody Thompson and Kelley Elementary Principal Mike LaMoine.