Schools

Oak Creek Teachers Object to Possible Retirement Cuts

The Oak Creek-Franklin School District is studying whether to implement a new benefit structure for Oak Creek staff members in light of budget troubles and a possible cut in state funding.

Possible cuts in retirement funding has attracted opposition from many Oak Creek-Franklin teachers, who said the issue is one of loyalty.

As part of broader, conceptual discussions about benefits for teachers, Human Resources Director Troy Hamblin told the School Board on Monday the school district wants a fully funded retirement plan.

Under the preliminary plan, those closest to retiring would see gradual reductions in retirement benefits over the next three to five years, while the rest of the workforce would be put into a different system altogether — a health retirement account.

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The district pays about $2 million in retirement costs in its current pay-as-you-go structure, Hamblin said. The new plan would take about eight years to implement, gradually shift money from retirees to active employees and end up costing the district only $1 million per year, he said.

"Does it do everything perfectly? No," Hamblin said. "A lot of details to be worked out. But I think (there's) value of getting us to a fully funded place in time, vs. paying as you go and hoping like hope the state doesn’t do something that kills our budget."

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Several teachers who spoke at Monday's board meeting felt decreases in retirement benefits would show a lack of loyalty to staff members, especially those nearing retirement.

"That would feel to many people as if the rug is being pulled out from under them by not having time to plan, especially within the next few years," said West Middle School teacher and union president Terry Grogan.

Grogan said it's "scary" for teachers who have long banked on the current retirement plan, only to have to scramble in the face of reductions.

Paul Sojkowski, a Meadowview teacher and chief negotiator for the union, said the union in the 1990s negotiated for better retirement benefits in exchange for smaller salaries.

"That's how much we value our retirement," Sojkowski said.

He called on the district to keep communication lines open and involve everyone in the discussions.

"We just want it to be fair, want it to be something we look forward to," Sojkowski said. "Not something that's pulled from us."

Retirement isn't the only benefit the Oak Creek-Franklin School District is examining. Officials are looking at ways to reduce paid time off — with savings put into teachers' salaries — as well as eliminating life insurance.

Talks will continue between district officials and an advisory committee throughout the coming weeks and months.

Final decisions won't be made until later this year when the board approves the 2013-14 budget, Superintendent Sara Burmeister said.


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