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Hillsboro SD 1J board approves early-retirement MOU offering $23,000 lump-sum or extended health coverage
Summary
The Hillsboro School District board approved a memorandum of understanding with the Hillsboro Education Association that offers eligible licensed staff either a $23,000 one-time payment or continued group medical, dental and vision coverage through Sept. 30, 2027; the benefit is prorated for part‑time staff and initially capped at 60 employees.
Hillsboro SD 1J board members voted to approve a memorandum of understanding with the Hillsboro Education Association that creates an early retirement and separation incentive for eligible licensed staff.
Connor, a district negotiator, told the board the MOU applies to licensed staff who have completed 10 years of consecutive service in a licensed role by the end of the 2025–26 school year and who occupy specified steps and columns on the licensed salary schedule. "There would be 2 options that people could choose from that meet these qualifications," Connor said, outlining the choices.
Under the agreement, eligible staff may choose either a one-time lump-sum payment of $23,000, with the payment scheduled for 07/20/2026, or continued enrollment in a group health insurance plan (medical, dental and vision equivalent to current coverage) effective through 09/30/2027. "This early retirement and separation benefit will be prorated for folks that are in different regular FTEs," Connor said, adding that determinations will follow Article 16, Section 3 of the collective bargaining agreement.
The MOU limits initial participation to the first 60 licensed employees who submit a retirement notice using a district electronic form; the district has discretionary authority to increase the cap by up to 10 additional employees. The agreement also states that licensed staff who accept the benefit will be ineligible for rehire for three school years, a condition the district said is intended to support projected savings.
Director Katie Ryan moved to approve the memorandum of understanding; Director Mark Watson seconded. The board conducted a roll-call vote and approved the MOU. Chair Yvette Pantoha announced, "Motion carries," and thanked district staff for their work on the agreement.
After the vote, district administrator Travis thanked the board and negotiators and framed the incentive as part of broader budget-reduction strategies aimed at saving jobs and prioritizing classroom funding. "These are unprecedented times," Travis said, urging continued collaboration among cabinet members and union partners.
The board did not amend the MOU during the session. Next steps described by staff include creating the electronic retirement submission form and processing the first round of eligible notices in accordance with the timelines in the agreement.
The meeting adjourned at 12:13 p.m.
