The letter, titled "Superintendent Would Benefit From Retirement Incentive," was published Wednesday, Oct. 21, in The Missourian and states that Superintendent Dr. VeAnn Tilson would propose a $27,000 incentive package that entices the "most experienced and best teachers to retire."

The letter writer requested their name be withheld.

"For the letter to state we are getting rid of our best teachers we have is preposterous," said School Board Member Ron Sohn.

"I don't think it is the intention of the board to get rid of any teacher who wants to continue to work," he added. "We have many good teachers at the upper and lower levels (of experience)."

The board approved the incentive package for those who would retire only after this year. To qualify, teachers must have a minimum of five years' full-time experience with the district. The district will pay a $3,000 lump sum each year for three years that will be paid at the end of the school year and some health insurance costs.

The letter goes on to state: "Until now, the board and the superintendent have always been opposed to any proposition that would encourage the best teachers to retire. They have been more interested in retaining the best teachers for the benefit of the students."

Board Member Pam Janssen disagreed with that comment.

"To infer that the quality of teachers is substandard is offensive to every teacher that started their career in the district," she said.

"Some will retire because of this, as much as we would like them to stay, this district will continue," added Board President Tom Stahlman. "I'm not going to apologize for saving money and doing what is best for the district."

He noted that the district could save as much as $300,000.

The letter also questions the intention of the incentive package.

"The Union School District has never before offered an incentive for its best teachers to leave; rather, the district has always opposed it. Could the fact that the superintendent and her husband are retiring this year have anything to do with this proposal?"

Tilson refuted those comments and said she would not take the incentive package.

"That was not my reason for deciding to retire and I felt it (accepting the package) would be a conflict," said Tilson, who announced she would retire earlier this school year.

She added that her husband, Jay Tilson, a district psychologist, has not yet said if he plans to retire after this year.

Furthermore, Tilson said the plan was not her idea, nor did she develop it alone. "I was board directed to develop this," she said. "Most of these ideas did not come from myself."

The board approved the retirement incentive plans pending tweaking by the district attorney. Those who wish to participate in the plan must first apply by Jan. 14, 2010. There also is a plan with similar benefits for support staff.