ARTICLE 21:  EARLY RETIREMENT PROGRAM

              21.1  Early Retirement Program
The Yucaipa-Calimesa Educators Association (YCEA) and the Yucaipa- Calimesa Joint Unified School District (District) hereby agree that it serves the purpose of both to develop an early retirement plan.  This plan shall be the Yucaipa-Calimesa Early Retirement Program (YCERP).
21.1.1  Length of Article's Effect
For fiscal year 1997-98 and fiscal year 2002-03, 2008-2009 and every five (5) years thereafter, both the YCEA and the District shall have the opportunity to reopen and renegotiate this program.  This provision will allow the YCEA or the District to reflect any changes in law and/or funding mechanisms which may take place.
21.1.2  Eligible Employees
The employee must have reached the age of 55 years with 10 years of District service, or age 53 with 15 years of District Service.  Participation in this program shall not extend beyond age 59 nor more than five (5) years, whichever comes first.  Each employee shall be given a calculation of their proposed benefit by the District.
Employees participating in the YCERP plan shall provide the District sixty (60) days written notice prior to their expected separation date with the resignation from the District effective June 30, 2009.
21.1.3  Benefit Calculation
Benefit amount determined as follows:
Employees retiring at age 55 shall receive 100% of the difference of the following:
A.  Their salaries plus mandated fringe benefits minus
B.  The cost of a replacement teacher as calculated under the provisions of this article minus
C.  The cost of retiree fringe benefits.
The 100% of the difference calculation shall apply to age 55 only.  For age 56 through age 59, the employee will receive the following percentages of this calculation:
5675%
5755%
5835%
5920%
For each of the years of savings for the replacement teacher shall be reduced by the step cost awarded the replacement teacher. 
Example A:  An employee who is 55 will receive 100% of the difference, at age 56 - 75%; age 57 - 55%; age 58 - 35%; age 59 - 20%.
Example B:  An employee retiring at age 58 shall receive 35% of the difference and 20% of the difference at 59.
The employees age for calculation purposes shall be the age on the date of separation from the district.  An employee may separate from district service at the end of a semester or trimester.
Payments by the district to employees' plan shall be made monthly.
21.1.4  Method of Payment
Method of pay out shall be in accordance with a plan established under 21.1.7.
21.1.5  Calculation of Replacement Teacher Cost
The administration shall develop, with the concurrence of the YCEA, the average replacement cost based on actual teachers hired for fiscal years 1994-95; 1995-96; and 1996-97.  This replacement cost shall be based on all teachers hired whether for growth or replacement.  After calculation of the average, a salary placement closest to this average shall be used.  This average shall be used for retirements for fiscal year 1997-98; 1998-99; 1999-2000; 2000-2001; 2001-2002, 2008-2009 regardless of the actual average replacement teacher cost.
In any case where the District is not hiring replacement teachers, the District shall receive credit for the existing replacement cost average as outlined above.  Specifically, if the District has not hired a new teacher, the last calculation replacement teachers cost shall be the replacement.
Effective in 2002, the YCEA may request a recalculation based on the actual teachers hired over the prior three (3) fiscal years.
21.1.6  Implementation
To implement this program, the YCEA and District shall jointly issue a Request for Proposal and such other documents as are necessary to secure the services of consultants.  The consultants secured shall, for the length of time agreed, serve as the exclusive agents related to this plan.  The goal of the committee shall be to select the consultant who appears to be the best qualified to administer the plan on behalf of the District and its employees.  The consultant shall serve at the pleasure of both the District and YCEA and any time service proves to be unsatisfactory to either the District or YCEA the consultant shall be terminated.
21.1.7  Plan Governance
The program shall be governed on a consensus basis between the representatives of the District and YCEA.  The committee shall be composed of two representatives selected by YCEA and two representatives selected by the District.  The committee shall determine, with the consultant, the plan design and the methods for payment of the benefits.
21.2  Article 21 of the certificated contract shall be suspended for five years beginning July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2013.  Early retirement articles can be revisited by the YCEA negotiation teams in three years.
21.2.1 The PARS 85% of final pay option will be offered to eligible unit members either 53 years of age with 15 years of service or 55 years of age with 5 years of service for 2008-2009.
21.2.2  Medical benefits will be the same coverage as full-time unit members and will be limited to 10 years from the date of retirement or age 65, whichever comes first.

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