(Toledo News Now) -
Several area schools are
searching for new superintendents this year. A couple reasons may be behind the
surge in retirements.
One superintendent, Tom
Hosler of Perrysburg schools, said the number of openings across the state is
unheard of.
"As a leader of a
district, there's a lot of great things that can happen," Hosler said. "And
when things don't go well, you're the person they look to. So you have to take the
good with the bad."
Hosler said he loves his
job, but it has changed over the years.
"It's certainly a more
challenging job than perhaps 20 years ago, or a generation ago, and I think
that leads to more of a turnover," he said.
One such challenge: State
funding has decreased in recent years, and districts have had to turn to the
community to pass levies in order to continue operating.
There have also been
changes to the state retirement plan that may be viewed as an incentive to
retire sooner.
"People who are eligible
to retire now can retire at 30 years, and they will receive a cost of living
increase," Hosler explained. "If you don't retire within this window, then you
do not get a cost of living increase, and you go to 35 years."
Hosler added that these
openings offer an opportunity for young "up-and-comers."
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