BFHS searching for teachers to fill vacancies

By KATHY NUSSBERGER

Managing editor

As the new school year draws near, Bonners Ferry High School (BFHS) Principal Curt Randall-Bayer, shared his concern over the lack of teachers for choir, band, family consumer sciences and drama.

"With teachers retiring or moving on to new endeavors at the end of last year, we find ourselves in a tough position as far as hiring new teachers to fill these positions," Bayer explained. "We have hired Adam Ineck to replace Jim Roland as the agriculture and FFA teacher, but the departure of our band teacher, Gary LaPlant, who took a position in Spokane, Wash., has left us with the possibility of not having a band class at either the high school or middle school for the upcoming school year."

Bayer added that the District offered family science and choir positions to two applicants, however, the family science applicant declined the offer, and despite initially accepting the position for choir teacher, that candidate changed their mind and withdrew their application.

"We are faced with two options at this time for the choir, band, drama and family consumer science programs, we can either cancel the classes and place students in other programs, or hire long-term substitute teachers, but the instruction would be limited," Bayer explained. "If we cancel the programs, we would hope to allow students to have a say in what alternative classes they would take and accommodate their interests, but it would require a creative placement plan to make it work."

He added that he believes one of the reasons for the lack of applicants for these teaching positions, is primarily due the limited time left before school begins, and most importantly, finding teachers who are qualified to teach these classes.

"We need to expand our search area and become more aggressive in our advertising efforts, but it is unclear at this time how much that will help keep these classes available this coming school year," Bayer said. "We've done our best in looking for candidates so far, but we will not hire someone who is not qualified for the position."

In other school news, Bayer said that due to the lack of funding, BFHS has canceled a freshman team building activity they had planned for Aug. 30.

"Freshman orientation is still set for Aug. 30 with a barbecue and tour of the high school for all incoming freshmen and their families, but the funds are not available to cover the cost of the previously planned team activity," he said. "The Advisor schedule for the 2007-2008 school year changing from Wednesday mornings, to Wednesday afternoons, to allow time for more assembles."