Tracey Lopeman is retiring, but she’s not going anywhere.
The superintendent of Maricopa Unified School District is signing a contract to continue in her position but as an employee of Educational Services Inc. Approaching 30 years in education in Arizona, she is able to take state retirement and still qualify to work.
“This contract keeps me employed with the district for one year,” she said. “That does not mean I’m leaving in one year.”
Through ESI, an education employee can collect their state retirement benefit and be paid by ESI while the district pays a fee to ESI. The governing board approved the contract Wednesday.
Board President AnnaMarie Knorr said those kinds of contracts have become commonplace in Arizona. ESI has been around more than 20 years.
Lopeman signed a three-year contract in 2018 to receive $140,000 annually.The ESI program often results in more money for the employee while the district pays less money.
![An image of shredded paper. [Pixabay]](https://www.inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/shredded-paper-168650_1280-100x70.jpg "Shred-A-Thon to take place tomorrow")
