Bigfork teacher resigns ahead of school hearing

A Bigfork High School teacher’s termination hearing has been canceled.

The hearing for Doug Peters, longtime band and drivers education teacher, was called off after Peters submitted his resignation, Superintendent Russ Kinzer said.

After it was postponed from its original June 17 date when Peters had a family emergency, the hearing was rescheduled for Wednesday evening.

Instead, school board trustees will hold a special meeting Wednesday to vote on Peters’ resignation and separation agreement.

Kinzer did not disclose the details of the agreement but said that the document would be available after the meeting, which begins at 5 p.m. in the elementary and middle school cafeteria.

Peters was suspended without pay in May and earlier this month 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. The “Support Doug Peters, BHS Band Teacher” Facebook page had 488 members, and an online petition to reinstate Peters had 201 signatures as of Monday afternoon.

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

Peters has worked for the Bigfork School District for more than 20 years and has been an educator since 1976.