District accepts band teacher's resignation
After 21 years with the Bigfork School District, band teacher Doug Peters has resigned.
The Bigfork School Board accepted Peters' resignation and a separation agreement without discussion at a brief meeting Wednesday, June 30. Peters was not present at the meeting.
Peters, who also taught drivers' education, was suspended without pay in May, and then June 3 received notice of the intention of a recommendation before the school board for his termination. That meeting was originally scheduled for June 17 and was then postponed. Earlier this week, Peters submitted his resignation and the meeting was canceled.
In a separation agreement now signed by both the district and Peters, he agreed to resign, effective June 30. He also agreed to make no legal claim against the district or its agents for any actions made prior to the acceptance of the document.
As part of the agreement, the district will provide Peters, who has been an educator since 1976, with an early retirement incentive of $8,000, in addition to compensation for unused sick leave.
The agreement also stipulates that inquires about Peters will be directed to the superintendent "who shall make no negative comment about his performance."
The district offered an early retirement incentive this spring to certified teachers who had no less than 10 years of service with the district or were eligible for retirement with the Montana Teachers' Retirement System. Those who opted to take the incentive, which Peters was eligible for, received a payment of $7,000, plus any accumulated sick leave. That amount is equal to what Peters will receive after taxes.
The parties consented in the agreement that no public statements would be made regarding the terms or circumstances surrounding it and not to make disparaging comments about each other.
Prior to the agreement, administrators had also declined to comment on the reasons surrounding the suspension and possible termination because it was a personnel issue.
When news broke of Peters' possible termination, a number of current and former students, as well as parents, expressed their support for Peters through a "Support Doug Peters, BHS Band Teacher" Facebook group as well as an online petition requesting the board reinstate him.