DROP Extension for Instructional Personnel
The School Board of St. Lucie County is implementing a DROP extension procedure
for qualified instructional personnel. This process is being done in an effort to retain
qualified instructional personnel based on F.S. 1012(2)(a)-(d) (included below) and
to allow those eligible employees an opportunity to accumulate retirement benefits
into the FRS Trust Fund beyond the normal 60 month period. This extension of the
Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP) period is permitted at the employee’s
request and District’s concurrence as allowed by Florida Statute 121.091(13).
Instructional personnel interested in the DROP extension must complete and submit
the form below to their principal
(2) INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL.—“Instructional personnel” means any K-12
staff member whose function includes the provision of direct instructional services to
students. Instructional personnel also includes K-12 personnel whose functions
provide direct support in the learning process of students. Included in the
classification of instructional personnel are the following K-12 personnel:
(a) Classroom teachers.—Classroom teachers are staff members assigned the
professional activity of instructing students in courses in classroom situations,
including basic instruction, exceptional student education, career education, and
adult education, including substitute teachers.
(b) Student personnel services.—Student personnel services include staff
members responsible for: advising students with regard to their abilities and
aptitudes, educational and occupational opportunities, and personal and social
adjustments; providing placement services; performing educational evaluations; and
similar functions. Included in this classification are certified school counselors,
social workers, career specialists, and school psychologists.
(c) Librarians/media specialists.—Librarians/media specialists are staff members
responsible for providing school library media services. These employees are
responsible for evaluating, selecting, organizing, and managing media and
technology resources, equipment, and related systems; facilitating access to
information resources beyond the school; working with teachers to make resources
available in the instructional programs; assisting teachers and students in media
productions; and instructing students in the location and use of information
resources.
(d) Other instructional staff.—Other instructional staff are staff members who are
part of the instructional staff but are not classified in one of the categories specified
in paragraphs (a)-(c). Included in this classification are primary specialists, learning
resource specialists, instructional trainers, adjunct educators certified pursuant to s.
1012.57, and similar positions."
PER0198 Rev. 10/2015 Page 1 of 3
Procedure:
1) The employee must complete the St. Lucie Public School DROP extension request and
submit it to their principal a minimum of forty-five (45) working days prior to the end of
their current DROP end date.
2) Principals will review the employee’s DROP extension form and indicate if they
recommend the employee for DROP extension and forward the form to the Human
Resources Department (HR) within 10 working days of receipt or by April 15th.
3) HR will verify eligibility and notify the employee in writing within 10 working days of the
approval or denial of the extension request.
4) Along with approval notification the HR department will provide recommended eligible
employees an Extension of Deferred Retirement Option Program form (DP-EXT). The
DP-EXT form must be signed in the presence of a Notary and be returned to the HR
department within five (5) working days.
5) DROP may be extended on an annually renewal basis for up to 36 months.
6) If a position is not granted at their current location, employees seeking an extension
may be considered for a position at a location designated by the District. The employee
has the right to accept or to reject that position to extend their DROP participation.
7) HR will submit the completed and signed DP-EXT application to the Florida Retirement
System Pension Plan prior to the end of the normal DROP termination date.
PER0198 Rev. 10/2015 Page 2 of 3
St. Lucie Public Schools
DROP Extension Request
I
am requesting an extension of my Deferred Retirement Option
Program (DROP) at my current work location.
I am willing to extend my DROP and work at another location (please select desired school(s) below).
Certification Area
Last 4 of Social Security #:
Employee Signature:
Submission Date:
Check desired school location(s):
All Elementary schools
All K-8/Middle Schools
Bayshore Elementary
Allapattah Flats
Fort Pierce Magnet School
of the Arts
Manatee K-8
Chester A. Moore Elementary
Fairlawn Elementary
Floresta Elementary
Frances K. Sweet Elementary
Lakewood Park Elementary
Lawnwood Elementary
Northport K-8
Oak Hammock K-8
Palm Pointe Research
School at Tradition
St. Lucie West K-8
Samuel S. Gaines Academy
K-8
West Gate K-8
Dan McCarty School
Forest Grove Middle
Southern Oaks Middle
Southport Middle
Mariposa Elementary
Morningside Elementary
Parkway Elementary
Rivers Edge Elementary
St. Lucie Elementary
Savanna Ridge Elementary
All High Schools
Fort Pierce Central
High
Fort Pierce Westwood
High
Port St. Lucie High
St. Lucie West
Centennial High
Treasure Coast High
Lincoln Park Academy
Performance Based
Preparatory Academy
Dale Cassens
Education Complex
Village Green Environmental
Studies School
Weatherbee Elementary
White City Elementary
Windmill Point Elementary
HR use only
Initial year extension _____ 2nd year _____ 3rd year _____ Drop Extension final date
Principal/Administrator recommends extension _____ Extension not recommended _____
______________________________________________
Principal/Administrator Signature
Date
District approval
Extension denial
______________________________________________
Superintendent’s Designee
Date
c: Personnel File
PER0198 Rev. 10/2015 Page 3 of 3