Two more educators resign from NR-S School

At their regular meeting on Monday, May 8, the New Rockford-Sheyenne School Board accepted the resignations of Heather Klocke and Monica Meadows.

Klocke, the district’s elementary music teacher, was at the center of controversy in March when the school board was considering reducing the music program by one full-time teacher.

Dozens of community members, students and fellow staff argued on behalf of Klocke and the school’s other music teacher, Annette Hovey, at a subsequent board meeting, and ultimately, the school board decided against the reduction.

However, Klocke’s resignation means the district’s music program may be reduced to just one teacher after all, unless they find another teacher able to take on elementary music.

The school district’s website now lists “full-time elementary music” on their job openings page.

In her letter of resignation, Klocke wrote, “I am very appreciative for my time teaching at the school and in the community that I love.

“Teaching the students of New Rockford-Sheyenne School through music has been one of the greatest joys and privileges of my life as well as an invaluable learning experience. I am also grateful for the opportunity I have had to work with exceptional teacher colleagues.”

Afterwards, the school board also accepted the resignation of Monica Meadows, who has taught science at NR-S for over a decade.

“After much consideration, I have decided to pursue other opportunities that will allow me to move closer to home and family,” wrote Meadows in her resignation letter.

“It has been an honor to serve as a teacher at this school for the past 11 years,” she added. “I am grateful for the opportunities that this position has provided me, including the chance to work with a dedicated and talented group of colleagues and to educate and inspire countless students over the years.”

The resignations of Klocke and Meadows bring the number of resignations the school has accepted since March to six (not including the retirement of Kent Brown).

However, the school board has also hired their second new teacher since March, and NR-S Superintendent Jill Louters said other positions have been filled.

At Monday’s board meeting, the board unanimously carried a motion to approve the hiring of Krystal Caldwell to teach high school science.

Caldwell is currently completing her seventh year of teaching high school science at Warwick Public School, and Louters said she’s excited to have someone so experienced join the district.

“I'm looking forward to having her on board,” she said.

Caldwell wrote in her letter to Louters, in part, “My skills and qualifications are an ideal match to the high school science teacher requirements and will bring immediate value to New Rockford-Sheyenne Public School District goals.”

Louters reported that other positions have been filled as well, which don’t require board approval. In fact, Louters told the board that most open positions have now been filled one way or another.

“Currently we have very few positions open, and the reason we are not going to see those in the form of a contract, is that some of these individuals are not necessarily fully licensed [as teachers], and that puts them in the position where they’re long-term subbing until they procure their license,” Louters explained.

New teachers who’ll be “long-term subbing” for elementary next year are Kolby Houchin and Aurora Bear.

Erin Radke, meanwhile, who is already on staff at NR-S, will be moving to middle school social studies next year, and teaching high school social studies will be Avolt Baumbach.

Baumbach is a licensed social studies teacher and said he’s excited to do some teaching again. He will also remain the district’s high school principal.

Louters said discussions are ongoing with multiple potential teaching candidates to fill the remaining openings.

Meanwhile, the school district recently wrapped up contract negotiations with teachers at NR-S.

During a special meeting on May 4, the board unanimously voted to approve a two-year contract agreement with NR-S teachers that increases their pay by approximately 5 percent.

Specifically, teachers agreed to accept a $2,250 raise for each of the next two years, while returning teachers agreed to a $2,500 raise for each of the next two years.

The school board and teachers also came to an agreement that no incoming teachers with the same credentials could make more than existing teachers.

Negotiations with the school’s administrators are still ongoing.

The next regular school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 12 at 7 p.m.