Gov. Chris Christie backs off plans to push N.J. teachers to retire early
By Claire Heininger/Statehouse Bureau
June 07, 2010, 9:45PM
Gov. Chris Christie at the Statehouse in Trenton in this March 2010 file photo.TRENTON — The Christie administration today backed off plans to prompt public school teachers to retire early, saying it will not pursue further pension and benefits changes for those who do not leave by Aug. 1.
Spokesmen for the governor’s office and Department of Education said the administration will not immediately propose reforms affecting current teachers other than Gov. Chris Christie’s proposed 33-bill "toolkit" to help schools and towns cut costs.
Previously, Education Commissioner Bret Schundler said the state would make more changes but exempt veteran teachers who retired before Aug. 1 — leading to forecasts of mass retirements far beyond the 4,500 teachers