An option to retire early is being offered to staff at the Washington Community School District. At their meeting Wednesday, the Washington School Board approved the early retirement plan. To qualify, staff members must be a minimum of 55 years old prior to June 30, 2020, have worked at least 20 consecutive years for the Washington Community School District, submit an application before February 28th, and submit a resignation from employment before February 28th effective at the end of this school year or the 2019-2020 contracted work year. Early retirement benefits include paid health insurance until 65 years of age for the single monthly premium in the district’s group health insurance plan. Superintendent Willie Stone explained it is also be available to those who qualify next year, but they’d need to declare it at this time and then work until the qualification date. Stone adds this would give the district a head start on finding replacements for those staff members who declare retirement over a year in advance. This is available to all eligible teachers, administrators, custodial and maintenance employees, paraprofessionals, cooks, clerical and support employees.