In Connecticut, all certified school system employees, including superintendents, are considered “teachers.” Those who have retired from a public school position may only be re-employed in a public school at a salary of no more than 45 percent of the maximum salary level for the position. Note that teachers who have retired have probably reached the maximum salary level for their position, so if they come out of retirement and return to work, they can only earn less than half their pre-retirement salary. There are some exceptions to the restriction, but for most situations, the limit applies.
That may not sound so bad. But consider that, at any given moment in Connecticut, there are a number of school districts that are in the process of searching for a new superintendent, a process that can take many months. These districts need someone at the helm until the new person is in place: an interim superintendent. There is no lack of experienced, retired superintendents who would take such a position for a limited time and keep the business of the school district running smoothly.
