BELLE — The Maries R-2 Board of Education approved the following resignations on June 25 at the board meeting.

Alicia Troesser submitted her resignation on June 1 as art teacher at Belle High School.

In her letter to the superintendent, she asked to be released from her 2020-21 contract to teach in Linn.

“I have been hoping to teach in Linn, Mo for several years now, because it is closer to my home, and it is important to me to teach in the town in which I live. While I am sorry to be leaving the Maries R-2 School District, I have accepted an offer from the Osage R-2  School District,” Troesser wrote. “With the limited number of high school art teacher positions in the region, it is a highly sought position, and I expect the district will have little trouble in finding a suitable replacement before the new school year begins.”

Troesser has taught art at the high school for the last three years.

Ashley Johnson of Vichy also submitted her resignation on May 29 to the board of education.

“I would like to start by saying how much I appreciate the opportunity I was given to come work in your school district,” Johnson said. “At the time I signed the contract I felt it was the right choice. I am asking to be released from the contract because the school that gave me start to education made me an offer. The main reason I want to take this offer is because it is closer to home and the hours are also a better fit for my family. Once again, I appreciate the opportunity and look forward to hearing your decision.”

Superintendent Dr. Lenice Basham had a recommendation on the resignations according to board policy.

“Per Board Policy GCPB, the board is required to take action on resignations per this policy, ‘Employees who seek to resign during the course of a contract or after a contract has been executed and is binding must notify the superintendent of the request to resign. ONly the board has the authority to release an employee from a contract. An employee will not be released from a contract unless a suitable replacement is found.’”

Basham told the board in the report summary sheet that Johnson’s position as a SE teacher new hire in 20-21 will not be replaced so she is free to go.

However, In Troesser’s case the high school art teacher’s position has not been filled. The position has been posted and the principals interviewed a candidate on Wednesday, June 24.

Basham’s recommendation to the board was to accept Johnson’s resignation and Troesser’s resignation at their discretion.

The board approved both resignations with a 7-0 vote.

The resignation of Brooke Rohrer as assistant girls soccer coach and assistant middle school volleyball coach did not need the board’s approval, but was recognized that the position would need to be filled.

In closed session the board of education hired Summer Buechter as elementary school secretary; Nicole Golden as assistant girls basketball coach; Kim Daughtery as assistant softball coach; Beckie Lansford as assistant girls volleyball coach; Cody Walker as a high school art teacher; and Sara Sullivan as the middle school English teacher.