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That's the maximum number of veteran educators they'd like to accept the district's voluntary severance package.

The goal of the buyout, and other cost-saving steps taken by the board, is to reduce expenditures by $400,000 in the next school year.

Board members approved the plan during a special board meeting last Thursday morning. Interim Superintendent Martha Essenmacher said teachers would get the details April 10. After spring break.

The financial consulting firm that assisted in setting up the plan, Williams & Carroll Financial Services of Grandville, will meet with teachers April 17 to explain the package and answer questions.

Essenmacher said the tax-deferred plan that would be offered to instructors with "20 or more service credit years with the state of Michigan."

She said, "we have a quite a large number of teachers who are eligible for the plan."

Instructors will have until May 25 to sign up for the proposal.

"That's the window," said Essemacher.

Retirements would be effective June 30, the end of the school year.

Teachers have the option of choosing either the master agreement retirement benefits, or the terms of the voluntary severance plan. The plan offers a total of $35,000 ($10,000 per master agreement plus an additional $25,000). The money would be paid out over two years, with lump sum payments of $17,500 in Sept. 2008 and Sept. 2009. Accumulated sick leave days through the plan would be paid in Sept. 2008.

A minimum of five must accept in order for the buyout to proceed.

Although the board is looking for ways to save money, members want to limit the number of retirements.

"Because we know the value (of our veteran teachers), there's a maximum of 12" through the buyout. She said experienced educators are the "backbone" of "successful schools."

However, the board reserved the right to accept more than 12 retirements.

The idea is to replace some of the teachers. First-year instructors would fill the slots, with an eye on additional savings. The difference in pay between a starting teacher and someone at the top end of the salary scale is approximately $35,000, Essenmacher said.