VIERA —Brevard Public Schools (BPS) has been named by AARP as one of the Best Employers for Workers Over 50. The 2011 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 list released Wednesday ranks BPS 20^th among the top 50 employers in the nation. 

 “We are very proud to once again be selected by AARP as one of the best employers for workers over 50.  This validates all of our efforts to create and foster a collaborative workplace culture,” said BPS Superintendent, Dr. Brian T. Binggeli. “We value all of our employees regardless of age but also recognize that our seasoned professionals bring a great deal of experience, diverse skills, and wisdom to our classrooms and our district.”

Brevard Public Schools, with 86 schools and 17 specialty centers, has been honored by AARP six times since 2005.  A notable 46 percent of Brevard's employees are age 50 and over.

In a letter to Binggeli, Chief Executive Officer of AARP, Barry Rand, stated that the district has demonstrated exemplary practices with regard to recruitment, retention and promotion of older workers. Rand further wrote, “Moreover, you have created and fostered a workplace that is supportive of the contributions older workers offer to the business community.”

AARP invites employers to apply for the Best Employers honor by submitting an application outlining their exemplary policies and practices toward 50+ and over workers. Candidates undergo extensive vetting prior to final selections. Key areas of consideration include recruiting practices; opportunities for training; education and career development; workplace accommodations; alternative work options such as flexible scheduling, job sharing, and phased retirement; employee health and pension benefits; retiree benefits; and age diversity of the workforce.

The top 50 Best Employers this year, as well as 15 AARP International Best Employers, will be honored at a dinner Sept. 13 in Chicago.

For a full list and more information on the 2011 Best Employers, please see www.aarp.org/bestemployers. The website includes background on each employer’s workforce practices and a description of the selection process.

About Brevard Public Schools

Guided by its strategic plan, Brevard Public Schools (BPS) strives to serve every student with excellence as the standard. BPS, an A rated school district for seven consecutive years, serves approximately 73,000 students making it the 10th largest of 67 school districts in Florida and the 47th largest district in the United States. The single largest employer in Brevard County, the district employs more than 9,000 people, including more than 5,000 instructional personnel. With 86 schools, 17 special centers, and 9 charter schools, the district serves students in 17 different municipalities across the Space Coast.  To read more about Brevard Public Schools visit our website at brevardschools.org.

About AARP

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. They produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP’s millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. They have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

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