Claude Rioux retired from teaching in Lisbon, but hoped to coach Lisbon soccer and tennis for years to come. He can’t, because he’s in his 50s, and Maine law prohibits educators retiring younger than 60 from collecting benefits while working more than 60 days in any capacity in Maine’s schools.

So he is quitting coaching after some 26 years. He doesn’t like that the law is making him stop, but like any good coach, he is playing by the rules.

His predicament shines new light on Barbara Eretzian’s retirement from the Auburn School Department.

Eretzian, also in her 50s, retired as superintendent last June, but signed a sweet deal with the department to remain as a consultant for up to 60 days’ work, under a $45,000 contract. That’s $750 per day, over the 60-day span.

Her contract was written for “up to 60 days” to meet the state’s retirement rules, which are meant to stop retirees younger than 60 – like Eretzian – from double-dipping.

This contract came under scrutiny in January, when the Auburn School Committee was talking about continuing the contract in the 2008-09 budget. At that time, we were told Eretzian had routinely worked three days a week in the district office since the start of the school year.

If this is accurate (we have no reason to believe it isn’t), this means Ereztzian had worked about 57 days by mid-January. She has, according to people familiar with her tasks and presence in the office, certainly exceeded the 60-day mark since then.

Perhaps her considerable presence is because she’s working 120 half-days or 240 quarter-days over the school year. We don’t know. We do know Eretzian is Auburn’s de-facto assistant superintendent.

As we’ve said before, Eretzian is a hard worker and is clearly committed to her work in Auburn.

But the same could be said for Rioux in Lisbon, though, and he’s out the door.

The school committee, as of this week, is keen on renewing Eretzian’s contract as a cost-saving measure. Hiring her for $45,000 for 60 days does beat hiring a $90,000/year assistant superintendent, except 60 days is a hyper part-time position. If Auburn really needs an assistant superintendent, it needs one more than 20 percent of the year.

If the district can get by without an assistant superintendent – in the form of Eretzian – for 80 percent of the year, it can probably manage the remainder of the year and save the $45,000.

Or, if the committee wants to spend $45,000, and Auburn really needs an assistant superintendent, one could be hired at (a generous) $340/day for 132 days, more than twice the time Eretzian is paid to work. This is more cost effective, but we seriously question whether Auburn needs this position.

Lewiston’s larger school department doesn’t have an assistant superintendent.

The worst thing the school committee could do is retain Eretzian’s $45,000 contract and wink at the 60-day rule by continuing her de-facto position in her retirement. This is no example to set for pupils, and out of line with the rules to which other retirees – like Rioux – must adhere.

When the committee meets Wednesday, it has an obligation to put a halt to this deal.