Washington Teachers Union president George Parker says hundreds of veteran teachers appear ready to accept an early retirement offer from D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee.

Parker says teachers are tired of declining working conditions and upset about Rhee's school closing plan.

Rhee's spokeswoman, Mafara Hobson, says details of the early retirement offer are still being worked out. Hobson says Rhee is expected to release details once teacher contract talks are complete, possibly in several weeks.

Parker says the school system would likely fill vacancies created by the buyouts with younger teachers with little experience. He says he has urged Rhee to expand a program that pairs new teachers with veteran teachers for one year to three years.

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Information from: The Washington Post

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