Resignations from the elementary principal and high school wrestling coach were among the items approved at Monday’s school board meeting.
Ten resignations were accepted for the end of the school year, and Superintendent Stu Moeckel was granted permission to fill positions.
“That’s not untypical for this time of year,” Moeckel said of the number of resignations. “Teachers may be moving with the family.”
The Eudora Times left messages for Elementary Principal Susan Tinich for comment. Moeckel said the district will begin advertising to fill Tinich’s position next week.
“We’ll put it out in all of our areas and then see what applicants we have and put together a team to interview those candidates and then make that decision,” Moeckel said.
Jotham Andrews, a teacher and head coach for varsity wrestling, said in an interview Monday that he was offered a new position as the head wrestling coach at York College in Nebraska.
“This opportunity is something I wanted for a long time, and I didn’t think it was going to become available for me. So I took it,” Andrews said.
Andrews said this decision was largely influenced by York being his alma mater. Andrews said if it was anywhere else, he probably wouldn’t take it.
Andrews will continue to work at the high school until the end of the school year and said he is grateful for his time at EHS.
“It was good to coach in my hometown, teach in my hometown. It meant a lot,” Andrews said.
Other resignations include Spanish teacher Chris Eitzen, fifth-grade teacher Carly Glennon, head cheerleading coach Amy Shanks and the retirement of third-grade teacher Peggylynne Johnson.
Another item unanimously approved at the meeting was a partnership between Jobs For America’s Graduates and the district. The JAG program will provide opportunities for students who struggle with school to participate in elective courses that will prepare them for employment and college.
The criteria for a student to participate in JAG includes things such as credit deficient for the grade level, low academic performance, coming from a low-income household and having a disability, among many more.
Moeckel said JAG will not be mandatory for students who fit the criteria, and that they can seek it out on their own as an elective.
“It’s always going to be the student’s choice. They’ll work with our counselors and our teachers to figure out the best fit for them,” he said. “We are not going to sit around and ask all these personal questions. This is for the students to figure out if they’re interested in it.”
JAG partners with local employers like Kansas Gas Service, Midwest Energy, Larned Veterinary Clinic, The People’s Bank and more who provide jobs for students who completed the program after graduation.
Students who participate can either choose to pursue their associate’s degree or obtain a job after completing the program and graduating, Moeckel said.
“It gives those kids who may not have had the best start or may have started a little bit behind an opportunity to get some of those real-world workforce-related skills,” Moeckel said.
According to the agreement, a maximum of 60 students will be accepted into JAG. The program will be accepting applicants beginning this fall.
State qualifying teams were recognized at the meeting as well, including the Cardinal Choirs, Cardinal Regiment, boys wrestling, girls wrestling, Scholars Bowl team, boys basketball team and girls basketball team.
Senior Eliana Isenburg was also recognized by the board for her nomination as a National Merit Scholarship finalist.
Reach reporter Alyssa Wingo at eudoratimes@gmail.com. Reporters William Crow and Sara Maloney contributed to this report.
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