A trial retirement plan would allow school employees second thoughts in a major life-choice and save the school district expenses, if a younger person is used as a substitute. Cites opinions from four school system administrators and an attorney who has reviewed many school systems' early retirement plans. (MLF)

Governors and legislators are looking for ways to help offset budget deficits, and the public pension funds that cover working and retired school employees are tempting targets. Discusses problems in a number of states, pros and cons of federal regulation, calculating retirement benefits, and how pension funds are controlled. (MLF)

After voters in Cincinnati, Ohio, defeated a tax increase, the school board hired a new superintendent, released a study that provided 38 hard-hitting recommendations, and convinced the citizens to pass a tax increase. Changes adopted included a voluntary administrator-reduction plan and a reversal of the top-down administrative structure. (MLF)

To ensure the quality of school leadership in the future requires the following: (1) improving financial incentives; (2) strengthening administrator training programs; and (3) raising certification requirements. (MLF)

A humorous summary of the recent trends toward equal rights for women. (JF)

The Supreme Court's ruling in "Betts" gives employers wide latitude in structuring benefit plans and should strengthen the confidence of school boards that wish to offer age-based retirement incentives. (MLF)