Staff writer
USD 408 band teacher Chris Barlow has tendered his resignation effective at the end of the current school year.
His wife, Kate, will also be resigning her position at Marion County Special Education Cooperative, where she is a speech pathologist.
“We are planning on moving to Salina to be closer to family,” Barlow said. “I’m originally from Abilene, so I’ll be closer to home.”
The couple has a 10-month-old daughter, Delaney.
Barlow has been with the school district since the 2012-2013 school year.
He said he doesn’t yet have his next position lined up.
“I’ve really enjoyed my time here and people were wonderful,” Barlow said. “The kids do a wonderful job and I’m going to miss them a lot.”
USD 408 Superintendent Lee Leiker said although four teachers have resigned in recent weeks, he does not believe there is a theme to the higher-than-usual turnover.
Teacher resignations since January include middle school social studies teacher and head wrestling coach Chad Adkins, third-grade teacher Michelle Adkins, woodworking and carpentry teacher Lucas King, and now Barlow.
“Over the last several years, we’ve had very little turnover,” Leiker said.
He added that if resignations over the last five years were compared to other districts, USD 408 resignations would still be comparatively low.
Board ofeducation members will consider Barlow’s resignation at their next meeting, March 7.