The Clay Central/Everly school board on Jan. 26 agreed to offer an early retirement package to qualifying teachers this year.

According to Board Secretary Diane White, the first two eligible CC/E instructors who apply will be considered. Qualifying employees must have completed a total of 15 years of continuous service in the district as a licensed teacher or administrator, or combination of both. The minimum age to qualify is 55.

On Superintendent Kevin Wood's recommendation, the board unanimously approved the early retirement package with the caveat that it would not be offered again for at least two more years.

In other business, the board heard a report from Dani Muller, owner of Safari Child Care & Preschool in Milford. Muller shared her plan to open a daycare location in the Royal school for children ages 2 and up as well as before- and after-school care. Muller said the daycare would have a maximum capacity of 57 children.

Safari's Milford location offers a full-service daycare center for children ages infant to 6 years old. Muller reviewed the history of her business and provided a timeline for working with the board to get the daycare open. According to discussion, she has met with her state certification representative to review the location and will meet with CC/E food service director Chuck Bell to discuss meals.

The board unanimously approved an initial agreement between Safari Daycare and CC/E pending a viable contract and mutually beneficial relationship. More will be discussed at future meetings as plans progress.

In other business, the board hired Abbey Ney and Beth Ney as teacher associates. The March 2 regular meeting was also moved to Monday, Feb. 28. With the first Wednesday after the fourth Monday this month being in March, the board was forced to move dates so it could still hold a meeting in February, as required by law.