By: Norma Loya

Two resigned teaching positions over the summer have left EHS short of a French program and a special ed teacher.

When Special Education teacher, Sarah Moore left for a Ft. Collins middle school, it created an opening that has not been quickly filled.

Hilary Mackey is the special education department head, and substitute Tina Jones is filling in until someone is hired for the second position can be filled. Mackey said the new teacher would teach a section of study skills, math and transitions. Until then

Jones said she doesn’t know exactly how long she will be subbing, but she said, “It could be as long as four weeks.” Though he did not know which middle school Moore went to, principal Mark Naill did say that, “she had been searching for middle school positions because she likes working with younger kids.” The search committee has held some interviews, but nobody has been selected yet.

After budget concerns brought the future of the French program into question last spring, French students were pleased to hear that the district would continue the foreign language this fall. However, French instructor Kate Tidd took a teaching position for a different school this summer in the midwest. Not only will she be teaching regular French, “But AP French, too,” said Earth science teacher Erin Pierson. Her absence left EHS with a French position that could not be filled, and EHS has had to switch students from French to Spanish or offer other alternatives at AIMS or online.

Despite the fact that many teachers are looking for work due to the recession and budget cutbacks nationally , these former EHS teachers were still able to find jobs and  Naill said, “We wish them well.”