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TONIGHT AT 11: ‘Double dipping’ continues within school system

Posted at 2:29 PM, Oct 30, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-31 08:59:31-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - The practice of getting both a pension check and a paycheck is commonly called "double dipping." For retirees, it's a good deal, if they can get it. But what is the practice costing city taxpayers?

More than a year ago, a CBS 6 investigation exposed the double dipping going on within the Richmond Public Schools system. In April 2012, CBS 6 investigative reporter Catie Beck discovered there were 332 retirees working for Richmond Public School system. That equates to roughly 15 percent of the workforce.

In response to that investigation, a Richmond Public Schools spokeswoman said the retirees hired by the school system were being used appropriately - on a temporary basis.

Eight months later, a new Richmond School Board chairman told Beck retirees were being overused, but the problem was improving.

In February 2013, the number of retirees working for Richmond schools had decreased to 297.

Richmond entered the 2013-14 school year with a new interim superintendent, but are old problems resurfacing?

In October 2013, Beck counted the number of retirees working for Richmond schools and her findings shocked some school leaders.

"It's absurd to believe that the number has gone up since we've had all the controversy,"  Richmond School Board member Kim Gray said in reaction to Beck's latest findings.

Beck took her questions to interim Richmond Superintendent Dr. Jonathan Lewis.

Watch Catie Beck's investigation -- TONIGHT on CBS 6 News at 11.