By BEN KLEINE

Staff writer

The USD 408 board of education met in a special meeting Monday to discuss offering health insurance to retired teachers.

The board met for nearly three hours in executive session to discuss offering health insurance in retirement until former teachers reach 65 years of age. The KPERS retirement system works by points — age combined with years of experience. Teachers are eligible for retirement when they accumulate 85 points.

“There may not be any one that is eligible,” Superintendent Lee Leiker said.

The board tabled a decision on the proposal until board and teacher negotiations are complete. The board’s negotiation team — president Chris Sprowls and Duane Kirkpatrick — will meet with Gary Stuchlik, the head of the teacher’s association, at a later date.

Currently, teachers who retire from the district no longer receive USD 408’s health coverage. Leiker said if the health insurance proposal was approved, it may be another incentive for teachers to retire.

“Instead of nonrenewing somebody, if somebody retires, it’s good for them, and good for the district by reducing staff,” Leiker said.