Band teacher's resignation accepted by school board

Bigfork school board trustees accepted a high school band teacher’s resignation at a special meeting Wednesday.

Doug Peters, who also taught drivers education, submitted his resignation this week.

The board had been planning to hold a termination hearing for Peters on Wednesday.

Instead they approved Peters’ resignation and a separation agreement, which states the district will compensate Peters for all unused sick leave and will provide him with an $8,000 early retirement incentive.

The district offered its staff an early retirement incentive earlier this year to help alleviate anticipated budget deficits.

Three teachers took advantage of the offer in March, district clerk Eda Taylor said.

Those teachers were offered a $7,000 pretax incentive, she said. Peters’ incentive is not pretax, so the end amount he receives from the district will be the same as what the other teachers got.

“Bottom line, he’s getting the same thing,” Taylor said.

The district also agreed that all inquiries about Peters’ job performance will be directed to the superintendent, who will not make any negative comments about Peters’ performance.

A new superintendent took the helm the day after the school board approved Peters’ resignation; Cynthia Clary replaced Russ Kinzer as head of the district Thursday.

In return, Peters agreed he will assert no legal claim against the district, its employees or trustees for action taken before Wednesday. He also agreed to resign, effective Wednesday.

Peters was suspended without pay in May and in June received notice that his termination was being recommended before the school board.

The move evoked an outcry from scores of current and former students, parents and community members.

On Thursday afternoon, the “Support Doug Peters, BHS Band Teacher” Facebook page had 490 members, and an online petition to reinstate Peters had 202 signatures.

Administrators have not said what led to Peters’ suspension and the termination recommendation; they say they cannot comment on personnel issues.

Peters worked for the Bigfork School District for more than 20 years and started his teaching career in 1976.