Hundreds of veteran teachers in two San Diego county school districts have taken a financial buyout plan in exchange for retiring early. But it's unclear whether that'll translate into big savings for their districts. KPBS Reporter Ana Tintocalis has more.
San Diego Unified and Sweetwater Union High School districts both offered a so-called Golden Handshake to its veteran teachers in hopes of plugging their budget deficits.
These deals are intended to save districts money in the long-run because veteran teachers pull-in the biggest salaries.
But its unclear just how much money the districts will actually save because fewer teachers signed-up for the deal in both districts than school officials hoped.
San Diego Unified needed about 40 more teachers to make its goal of 633. Sweetwater was short about 65 teachers, missing its goal of 150.
Experts say meeting those official targets is necessary in securing any cost savings. Otherwise the deal could end-up costing districts.
The San Diego Unified school board is expected to vote tomorrow on whether to move forward. Sweetwater -- on the other hand -- has voted to go ahead with its deal.
Ana Tintocalis, KPBS News.
