St. Paul Public Schools avoids teacher layoffs via early retirement plan

The St. Paul school board has approved a plan to avoid the midyear termination of 16 English language teachers. The decision, reached via a 6-1 vote, follows a budget shortfall of approximately $4.9 million caused by a decline in English language learner enrollment, which officials attributed to Operation Metro Surge.

Instead of layoffs, the district will offer early retirement incentives to English language teachers aged 55 and older with at least 15 years of service. The package includes $35,000 for a health savings account and the option to have up to 150 unused sick days paid out. Superintendent Stacie Stanley noted that the plan aims to meet the needs of teachers who might otherwise delay retirement due to medical insurance concerns.

The early retirement program is expected to save the district a maximum of $1.1 million. To address the remaining budget gap, the district plans to use $2 million from its fund balance, save $1.1 million by not filling vacant positions, and recoup approximately $1 million by re-enrolling roughly 90 former students. The plan was developed in collaboration with the St. Paul Federation of Educators; if insufficient teachers opt for retirement, the union has agreed to forego extra pay typically received when teachers substitute for colleagues during prep periods.