RBUSD board approves resolution to explore PARS retirement-incentive program

The Redondo Beach Unified School District Board of Education on a unanimous voice vote authorized staff to proceed with a contingency-based retirement-incentive program design with Public Agency Retirement Services (PARS), opening an exploratory enrollment window for eligible employees.

PARS executive vice president Dennis Yu told the board the program under consideration would offer certificated nonmanagement employees an annuity equating to about 85% of final pay and classified nonmanagement (CSEA) employees about 50% of final pay, with the district spreading the program cost over five years. Yu said the district would mail individualized packets to eligible employees if the board approves and that employees who wish to enroll must submit an irrevocable resignation letter during the enrollment period. "They have to submit by, in this time, like, January 27," Yu said, citing the proposed enrollment cutoff.

Superintendent and cabinet members emphasized that the design is contingent on participation levels and a post‑enrollment fiscal analysis. If post‑enrollment calculations show the program would not be cost effective, the district could cancel the program and any resignations submitted during the window would be rescinded, Yu said. School staff and administrators noted the district could choose which bargaining groups to include and that prior versions of the program have varied by bargaining group.

Board members pressed staff on timeline and safeguards. Staff said PARS will provide one-on-one counseling, group meetings, and a toll-free number for employees to evaluate annuity payout options. Under the design presented, employees who participate would remain employed through the 2025–26 school year and would begin receiving PARS payments in August following that year, depending on the payout option chosen.

The resolution adopted tonight authorizes the district to enter into an agreement with PARS to design and offer a contingent retirement-incentive enrollment process; the board will make a final decision based on participation data and fiscal analysis when the enrollment window closes.

Next steps: District staff will finalize dates, distribute packets to eligible employees, and return to the board with participation figures and a financial recommendation in early February. No final payouts or retirements will be processed unless the board votes to proceed after reviewing enrollment and cost-effectiveness calculations.