McAllen ISD looking to save $Millions by offering early retirement incentive

From the McAllen Monitor

McALLEN – School officials here adopted a cost-cutting measure that is growing popular in Hidalgo County school districts when they e-mailed more than 3,000 employees Tuesday, hoping to entice just 245 of them to retire.

At a budget workshop that ended just before midnight, the McAllen school board unanimously approved a voluntary resignation incentive package Monday, offering $3,000 to eligible employees who resign at the end of this school year.

“An employee who accepts … is not eligible for employment with the district as a full-time or part-time professional employee for the next two years,” said Connie Lopez, assistant superintendent for business operations. “We did want to set a limit to 245 (but) we do say we may come back and reopen it.”
The Mission school district already attempted a similar program last month, and Edcouch-Elsa school officials have said they are considering the idea as well.

McAllen’s program, available on a first-come, first-served basis, opened today at 6 a.m. And based on an average salary of $50,000, including benefits, 245 resignations could save the district more than $11.5 million, even after officials cut the incentive check for each employee.

At last week's town hall meetings, LISD administrators suggested that while the district has not yet offered an early retirement incentive package it is something they are carefully considering.