Early Retirement
Incentives
Rural School
Advocates of Iowa (RSAI) began working on legislative priorities just after
deciding to organize as an association to represent quality education for
students in Iowa’s rural schools. SF 220
was on the list of priorities developed in January 2014. The bill was first passed by the Senate in
the 2013 Session. It lay dormant in the
House Ways and Means Committee rather than going to the Education Committee for
consideration.
What the bill does: Management
Funds have been allowed to pay for the costs of early retirement for employees
participating in the program who are at least 55 years old but not more than
65. A court ruling prohibited school
districts from setting an upper age limit on participants, so any teachers or
administrators wanting to retire early required the district to pay for their
benefits out of the school general fund. General funds are most precious for
all school districts, but especially critical to rural schools with declining
enrollment using an early retirement program to help manage budget
reductions.
Advocacy Actions: Joel Davis, School Board member from
Coon-Rapids Bayard and one of the founders of RSAI, met with Rep. Sands,
chairperson of the House Ways and Means committee, in December. He explained
the bill and asked for it to be referred to the House Education Committee. Rep. Sands agreed. Bob Olson, Superintendent , Clarion Goldfield
and Dows, and Davis, met early in the Session with Rep. Jorgensen, Chair of the
House Education Committee, asking for the assignment of a supportive
subcommittee. Davis also met with the
Subcommittee members of Reps. Fry, Hanson and Gassman to advocate for the bill. After explanation, they said it was a no
brainer and the House Education Committee unanimously approved it, but ran an
amendment to make the effective date apply to July 1, 2014 as a technicality to
conform to the current year. Knowing
this bill could benefit the FY 2013-14 budget for a few schools already paying
out of their general fund, RSAI requested an amendment to make the bill
effective on enactment and retroactive to the current school year. That amendment, H-8013 approved during House
floor debate on March 18, accomplished the goal. The bill was approved in the House with all
100 House members voting yes.
Status: Sen. Beall was the floor manager of the
original bill in 2013 and agreed to move the bill quickly in the Senate. The Senate concurred with the House amendment
on March 26, approved the bill 46 in favor, 2 opposed, sending the bill to the
Governor. The Governor signed the bill on April 3. This legislation will help schools using
early retirement plans to redirect scarce general fund resources to staff and
program supporting students.
For more information
about RSAI, visit the web site http://rsaia.org/home.html
or contact us at http://rsaia.org/contact-us.html
RSAI
Leadership Group
Brad Breon,
Moravia/Seymour, Supt, brad.breon@rsaia.org
Gregg
Cruickshank, Sidney/South Page, Supt, gregg.cruickshank@rsaia.org
Joel
Davis, Coon-Rapids-Bayard, Board President, joel.davis@rsaia.org
Kevin
Fiene, East Sac County, Supt, kevin.fiene@rsaia.org
Lee
Ann Grimley, Springville, Board President, leeann.grimley@rsaia.org
Robert
Olson, Clarion-Goldfield/Dows, Supt, robert.olson@rsaia.org
Brian
Rodenberg, Midland, Supt, brian.rodenberg@rsaia.org
RSAI
Legislative Group:
Southwest
- Jeff Hiser/Shenandoah Superintendent
Northeast and Northwest: vacant
Southeast
- Tom Rembe/Seymour Board Member
The RSAI Legislative Leadership Group is looking for two
leaders, board member or superintendent, from the Northeast and Northwest
regions to be elected at the annual meeting in September. Please let us
know if you are interested.
