The Brandon School Board OK’d an early severance package for 21 district teachers during a special board meeting on Monday. The buyouts constitute about 11 percent of the total staff in the district, enough, say school officials, to shave about $700,000 the first year and $500,000 in the second year as the district’s enrollment drops a projected 160 students by this September.
The board OK’d the severance package by a vote of 6-0 on March 12 for teachers who choose to retire early from the district. The severance plan for district teachers required a minimum of 18 teachers to participate, allowed 45 days to sign up, and seven days after that time to reverse their decision. Teachers must have been with the district for a minimum of 12 years and will receive a payout of $50,000 over 60 months.
The decision to offer the buyout comes after school officials say an estimated 13 teachers may receive layoff notices in the next few months due to declining enrollment.
‘In this horrible economic climate, we’ve been very fortunate here in Brandon to have been able to offer an early retirement incentive,? said Kristy Spann, Brandon Education Association President and H.T. Burt Elementary teacher.
‘The qualifications of the teachers who took advantage of this offer, for the most part, match the qualifications of those teachers who were slated to be laid off. However, with the high school schedule still being finalized for next year, we’re still not sure who will be teaching what. So at least at the kindergarten through eighth grade level, no lay offs are currently anticipated, and we hope that will hold true for the high school as well.?
‘Unfortunately, some teachers have had to be involuntarily transferred; however, the general sentiment is one of gratitude. Our teachers are happy to be employed.?
Tom Miller, Brandon School District Superintendent, says that with the buyout, the board hopes to retain teachers that might otherwise been laid off.
‘Another issue the district will face this month is just what Lansing is going to do with the per-pupil funding. It could range as high as $125 per student. We just don’t know what to expect. Right now we are projecting a budget shortfall of anywhere from $1.8 to $1.1 million.?
The district keeps about 13 percent or about $4 million in a fund equity account to cover any shortfalls that may occur during the school year.

Brandon district teachers accepting the early severance package
Diane Anderson, high school, English
Lyndon Coffey, intermediate, sixth grade
Nancy Dawson, Belle Ann, third grade
Douglas Dillon, Intermediate, sixth grade
Constance Harmon, high school, English
Pamela Herringshaw, school psychologist
Karen Hornbeck, Belle Ann, third grade
Samuel Kilby, middle school, social studies
Kathy Mann, leave of absence
Gary Medland, high school, television, civics
Lois McAbee, Belle Ann, fourth grade
Joe McMullen, Harvey-Swanson, special education
Kevin Meyer, high school, special education
Kay Moreau, Belle Ann, first grade
Mary Jo Murphy, district substitute
Joyce Rodak, H.T. Burt, first grade
Sandra Roggenbuck, Harvey-Swanson, first grade
James Schroeder, high school, social studies
Bradford Skauge, high school, social studies
Jill Thom, elementary, music
James Whitbread, high school counselor