NORWICH – Norwich teachers have an added incentive to retire at the end of this academic year, thanks to an agreement reached this week between their union and the school district.

“Personnel costs are the biggest cost of running the district,” said Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan, who explained that offering the incentive will be a way of reducing costs for the district as they face difficult budget decisions. Between reductions in state and federal aid and rising healthcare and retirement contributions, the district faces a staggering budget deficit next year.

“We have a $2.6 million problem staring us in the face,” said Deputy Superintendent Robert Wightman. Incentivizing retirements and resignations will help narrow that gap, he explained, and could help save other jobs. “It may be enough to tip the scale.”