Jackson Public Schools will lose about 68 teachers and administrators during the next two years through an early-buyout program, according to preliminary figures released Monday. That’s roughly 14 percent of the district’s 500 teachers and administrators, and it is significantly higher than the 50 staff members the district expected to opt out. The early-buyout plan – approved by the board earlier this year – is expected to save the school district $5.3 million over the next 10 years by replacing high-salaried, experienced teachers with cheaper, less-experienced staff. The Jackson district no will have to gear up its recruitment efforts to replace the outgoing staff. Superintendent Gregg Mowen has said the district will recruit heavily in and outside of Michigan.

Of the 68 leaving, 53 are going at the end of this school year. The other 15 will leave at the end of the 1998-99 year. Nine of the 68 are administrators; the rest are teachers. A breakdown by building and the number of minorities who are taking the early buyout was not available Monday night. Final figures won’t be available until next Monday because employees have seven days to change their minds. Teachers and administrators with 10 years experience were eligible for the plan. The employees who take the buyout will receive the equivalent of their 1997-98 salary in monthly payment over the next 10 years. Those payments cannot exceed $417 a month.

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