Note: Effective November 8, 2018, AS 14.20.136 authorizes schools districts to hire retired teachers in cases of teacher shortages.  Retired teachers hired under this statutory provision may elect to continue receiving TRS benefit payments during the period of reemployment.  A contract for reemployment of a retired teacher hired under AS 14.20.136 may not be for more than 12 consecutive months.  If the teacher retired under the defined benefit retirement system, the teacher must be retired for at least 60 days if 62 years of age or older, or at least six months if under 62 years of age, before reemployment.  In addition, if the teacher is reemployed by the same district that employed the teacher upon retirement, the teacher must certify that there was no prearranged agreement with the school district to hire the teacher after retirement.

Prior to the hire of retired teachers under this statute, the school board must adopt a policy that permits the employment of retired teachers who are qualified to teach in those disciplines or specialties in which a shortage of teachers exists.  The policy must describe the circumstances that constitute the shortage.

This optional policy may be utilized by districts desiring to hire retired teachers in cases of teacher shortages, as authorized by AS 14.20.136.