HR Director Among 27 Taking Early Retirement from Iowa City Schools

Jim Pedersen, executive director of human resources for the , is one of 27 employees who will be retiring at the end of the school year.

These employees are taking early retirement packages from the district. Iowa City Superintendent Steve Murley said the district has been offering these early retirement incentives for many years as a way to encourage experienced faculty members who are close to retirement age to retire so they can be replaced by less expensive staff.

Pedersen said in an e-mail to Patch that he decided to retire after 16 years with the district to take advantage of retirement benefits, spend more time with family and try a new direction. He said he leaves with mixed emotions, proud of what he accomplished but also wondering if he could have done more.

The thing he was most proud about from his time with the district?

"The quality of staff that was hired," he said.

What will he miss most?

"The challenge of reaching fair and equitable solutions, problem-solving for what is best for students, and the people."

Pedersen said he started his career teaching at City High School 42 years ago. He said he returned to the district in 2002 to take the position of human resources director. A long time Iowan, he received his B.A. at the University of Iowa and Ph.D at Iowa State University.

Superintendent Murley said Pedersen's presence will be missed by the district.

Jim will be a significant loss for the District.  He has been a wonderful resource during my two years in the District.  Jim has great rapport with employees throughout the District which has helped me better understand the context of our work.  However, his role in our cabinet goes well beyond his work in human resources … he is a great thinker and we will really miss his insights.  He will be difficult to replace!

Pedersen is the only member of the district's central office administrative staff currently shown to be taken early retirement. Carla Krogman, assistant principal at Northwest Junior High School, will also be retiring.

Murley said that with the growth to enrollment numbers, the district administration plans to replace all of these early retirees, as well as hire more teachers this winter .

You can see the full list of early retirees by clicking the attached photo. Or view the Iowa City School Board packet for this week's meeting here. The retirements will be considered by the Iowa City School Board at its Dec. 20 meeting.