Idaho Bill Ending Teacher Retirement Program Closer to Law

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — A bill ending a retirement incentives program for teachers is one step closer to becoming law after getting a nod from a House committee over objections from the teachers union. The measure approved in the House Education Committee Tuesday eliminates early retirement benefits for teachers nearing the end of their career.

That program was dumped under the 2011 "Students Come First" laws, but reinstated when voters repealed those measures in November. Boise Republican Sen. Cliff Bayer said many teachers retire early regardless of the extra benefits, making this program costly and superfluous.

Robin Nettinga, executive director of the Idaho Education Association teachers union, said the program has saved the state $100 million since its inception by replacing older higher-paid teachers with younger, lower salary recent graduates.