Dear Education Committee:
LPS supports LB1053. The bill would create a $2,500 retention grant for teachers who qualify for retirement when the sum of the member’s attained age and creditable service totals eight-five and sign a contract to serve as a full-time teacher for additional years past retirement. Teachers would only be eligible to receive grants for five years up to school year 2028-29. This bill is so important during this time of teacher shortages. Keeping master teachers in the profession not only continues superior instruction for students, master teachers also play a critical mentor role to guide and support new teachers just entering the profession. The support of master teachers is often noted by young teachers as one of the most important factors in their being able to survive the first five years of their careers.
John P. Neal
Lincoln Public Schools
