Blackstone-Millville approves early-retirement incentives for Unit A and Unit C members

The Blackstone-Millville School Committee on May 13 approved early-retirement incentives aimed at reducing staffing costs and supporting planned retirements.

Unit A: The motion approved a $7,500 taxable, non-pensionable payment for Unit A employees who retire effective June 30, 2021 and who submit their intent to retire by May 28, 2021; payment is to be made by July 31, 2021. The policy requires recipients to be eligible to retire from the Massachusetts Teachers’ Retirement System (MTRS).

Unit C: The committee also approved a tiered incentive for Unit C members retiring by June 30, 2021, payable to employees who submit retirement intent by May 28. The approved schedule includes $3,500 for a full 7.5-hour custodian, $3,000 for a 6.5-hour paraprofessional, $2,500 for a 12‑month administrative assistant and $2,000 for a six-hour cafeteria worker; amounts prorate by hours worked and length of service. Eligibility requires retirement from the Worcester County Retirement System (WCRS).

Both measures were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote.

Why it matters: Early-retirement incentives are intended to create budgetary savings over time by encouraging retirements that reduce salary/benefit obligations but also may require replacement hiring and can affect continuity of services.

What’s next: Administration will notify eligible staff and post instructions for declaring retirement intent by the May 28 deadline.