In further preparation for looming budget cuts, the State Office of Education could be offering early retirement incentives and eliminating a college tuition reimbursement program for employees.

State Superintendent Patti Harrington suggested the two measures to the state board this morning.

State education office employees would have until April 2 to decide if they would be willing to leave by July 1 with up to $8,000 in early retirement benefits.

"If they retire a little early that will generate savings in payroll," said Todd Hauber, associate superintendent of business services.

Harrington said she is looking for 15 to 45 employees to leave depending on how deeply the Legislature cuts.

Currently the state education office offers employees up to 50 percent reimbursement for college tuition. "It seems more prudent to hold on to the staff and let a benefit go," said Hauber said.

Harrington said employees enrolled in the current term would not be affected.

The state education office implemented a soft hiring freeze and travel reduction last fall. There are now 21 unfilled positions, Harrington said.

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