Deadline may lead teachers to leave

RENO -- A new state law that affects future retirement benefits of local government employees could lead to an exodus of Nevada's most experienced teachers and administrators, a state education official warned.

Under the law, such nonstate employees must retire by Sept. 1, 2008, if they want to remain in the state's Public Employees' Benefits Program. If they don't retire, they will lose a state subsidy ranging from $91 to $502 a month for their health insurance premiums.

The change will affect all local government employees, including those who work for school, water and health districts.

"We are concerned that we could lose our most valued teachers and lose other individuals who were not planning to retire, but who will do so because of the monetary incentive based on continuation of this insurance benefit," said Gloria Dopf, deputy superintendent of the Nevada Department of Education.

Dopf said no estimates were available on how many teachers, principals and other school employees across the state will choose to retire rather than lose the subsidy.

The Washoe County School District recently conducted an anonymous online survey of 920 employees eligible to take early retirement in order to keep subsidies. Of 368 employees who responded, 111 said they would retire and 140 were undecided.

"It's a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don't situation," said Candy Carter, head of McQueen High School's English Department.

It's a commentary on the larger issue of health care in the country, Carter said.

"People are having to make life decisions to make sure their health insurance is covered. It's an example of why our health system needs to be looked at seriously."